Guy touches girls arm, faces 10 years for sexual assault

spodoinkle · 10-10-2019 1:25pm #1

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7557947/Shy-awkward-student-19-faces-JAIL-sex-assault-conviction.html

the world is officially f*cked. My previous life of chatting up the ladies could have me facing the death penalty, I touched more arms than I can remember.

Has this kids life been ruined for touching a girls arm? How can she seriously have reported this?

gwalk · 10-10-2019 1:28pm

she needs to be shot with balls of her own ****e

snowflake overload

spurious · 10-10-2019 1:29pm

Did you read the article? He as a randomer just marched up to this girl, said nothing and touched her arm.

I can see how she found that frightening.
Do I think he should be locked up? No, as I understand he 'has issues', but I can absolutely understand how she was very afraid the second time he tried it.

The whole not speaking thing, I think, made it more creepy.

gwalk · 10-10-2019 1:32pm

the exageration of how he was going to touch her breast is a bit far fetched, as for saying it ruined her chaces for Oxford hahaha

honestly, this generation is ruined

Suttree · 10-10-2019 1:33pm

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this lad is not actually going to get 10 years in prison.

gerrybbadd · 10-10-2019 1:33pm

Poor chap. I can understand both sides here. I think the case should be thrown out however. No intentional harm here, the intent wasn't there.

billymitchell · 10-10-2019 1:36pm

No matter what the sentencing is, this guy's life will ruined.
I am not taking away from what he did, or from the girls' trauma over the event, but criminal convictions for stuff like this is a world gone mad imho.

padd b1975 · 10-10-2019 1:37pm

I think I'll have to start to come to terms with the fact that I'm never going to get the ride ever again.

JustJoe7240 · 10-10-2019 1:37pm

I'm guessing that this would not be an issue had she actually been smart enough to get into Oxford

Eric Cartman · 10-10-2019 1:37pm

Suttree wrote: »

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this lad is not actually going to get 10 years in prison.

The idea that he is even in a position to get a conviction is worrying

randd1 · 10-10-2019 1:38pm

Suttree wrote: »

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this lad is not actually going to get 10 years in prison.

He could end up on the sex offenders register though.

Imagine that hanging over your life because you were an awkward eejit that touched the arm of a young wan?

He must be a bit simple. I reckon so is your wan.

riffmongous · 10-10-2019 1:40pm

you just left out half the story, gah Boards really needs to let you call out OPs like this for what they are

She told the hearing: 'I saw him facing a hedge and I thought it was really weird. As I walked towards him, he suddenly swung round so he was facing me.

'As soon as he moved I moved and said: 'stop' and he touched my arm. I sort of jolted out of the way and went into the road to avoid him and he very quickly walked away.

'I think it would have been on my breast had I not moved. When it first happened I didn't think much of it. I forgot about it because I had my exams and just thought it was weird behaviour.'

She said she encountered Griffiths a second time: 'He suddenly moved to walk in front of me, looked me straight in the eye, touched me on my side and walked off.

'It was quite a while - three to five seconds. He smirked at me, he didn't stop he just touched me and walked off and I broke down crying - it was quite traumatic.

Suttree · 10-10-2019 1:43pm

randd1 wrote: »

He could end up on the sex offenders register though.

Imagine that hanging over your life because you were an awkward eejit that touched the arm of a young wan?

He must be a bit simple. I reckon so is your wan.

I struggle to see a court convicting like his unless they were fairly convinced he was actually trying to grope her and attempted it a second time.

Suckit · 10-10-2019 1:49pm

spurious wrote: »

Did you read the article? He as a randomer just marched up to this girl, said nothing and touched her arm.

I can see how she found that frightening.
Do I think he should be locked up? No, as I understand he 'has issues', but I can absolutely understand how she was very afraid the second time he tried it.

The whole not speaking thing, I think, made it more creepy.

From the article

She told the hearing: 'I saw him facing a hedge and I thought it was really weird. As I walked towards him, he suddenly swung round so he was facing me.
'As soon as he moved I moved and said: 'stop' and he touched my arm. I sort of jolted out of the way and went into the road to avoid him and he very quickly walked away.
'I think it would have been on my breast had I not moved.

Beasty · 10-10-2019 1:50pm

It's not a mandatory sentence. Sentencing has not taken place yet. Sensationalist newspaper headline alongside sensationalist thread title

atticu · 10-10-2019 1:53pm

spurious wrote: »

Did you read the article? He as a randomer just marched up to this girl, said nothing and touched her arm.

I read the article.
It said that they studied at the same school, and that he recognized her from the school.
I am not sure that referring to him as a randomer is correct.

El_Duderino 09 · 10-10-2019 1:55pm

gwalk wrote: »

the exageration of how he was going to touch her breast is a bit far fetched, as for saying it ruined her chaces for Oxford hahaha

honestly, this generation is ruined

I've no idea what his intention was. Maybe he was going for her beast and maybe he wasn't. They guy is obviously socially inept which isn't a crime but his behaviour which resulted might be a crime.

We know the guy saw the world in an unusual way and for all we know, the girl sees the world in an unusual way too. I don't dismiss the notion that she was affected by the incident because I don't claim to know what's going on in her head.

Sad for them both of they're both affected by the incident.

El_Duderino 09 · 10-10-2019 1:56pm

atticu wrote: »

I read the article.
It said that they studied at the same school, and that he recognized her from the school.
I am not sure that referring to him as a randomer is correct.

He recognised her. He could still be randomer to her.

LiamoSail · 10-10-2019 2:02pm

It’s nearly as if the Mail are trying to creative the narrative that sexual assault is nothing but a trivial complaint made by snowflake millennials with an agenda.

He just touched her arm in a hedge/he just touched her leg under a table...

I’ve no idea of the merits of the case and I certainly wouldn’t be basing any opinion of it on the reporting of a paper that backed (and you’d argue still would) the nazis.

One eyed Jack · 10-10-2019 2:08pm

spodoinkle wrote: »

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7557947/Shy-awkward-student-19-faces-JAIL-sex-assault-conviction.html

the world is officially f*cked. My previous life of chatting up the ladies could have me facing the death penalty, I touched more arms than I can remember.

And you’re attempting to suggest the girl was over-reacting?

spodoinkle wrote: »

Has this kids life been ruined for touching a girls arm? How can she seriously have reported this?

Only recently in another thread on here, the point was being made that the obligation was on girls to speak up and say no if they didn’t want to have sex. Here we have circumstances where a guy was told clearly - stop. He didn’t stop. The fault here isn’t with the girl who had to tell him to stop, it’s with the guy who didn’t stop to consider anyone but himself in the first place.

Kinda reminded me of something I’d posted in that same thread in relation to a programme that was on about these “PUA” idiots thinking it was ok for them to harass women in public -

One eyed Jack wrote: »

I thought it might be interesting and switched over to watch it, but when I heard this just now -

“Even if she’s underage, it’s not illegal to stop someone”

That’s enough of that then. Creepy fcuks.

I thought at the time I’d happily see them do time for their attitudes. I don’t see the guy in the OP as any different - still making it all about himself and how he “just wanted to make friends” :rolleyes:

ancapailldorcha · 10-10-2019 2:15pm

gwalk wrote: »

she needs to be shot with balls of her own ****e

snowflake overload

You have spouted this nonsense so you can't be too bothered.

SexBobomb · 10-10-2019 2:16pm

He's obviously not socially adept, he's 19 and has no friends, he googled "How to make friends" In his awkwardness he touched a girl on the arm and on her side.

This is actually parody people joked that this would be the conclusion of this outrage, victimhood narrative and here we are. Sad

gwalk · 10-10-2019 2:17pm

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

You have spouted this nonsense so you can't be too bothered.

K

Penn · 10-10-2019 2:20pm

SexBobomb wrote: »

He's obviously not socially adept, he's 19 and has no friends, he googled "How to make friends" In his awkwardness he touched a girl on the arm and on her side.

This is actually parody people joked that this would be the conclusion of this outrage, victimhood narrative and here we are. Sad

How would she have known he had no friends, or googled how to make friends etc.

The first time, he stood in front of her, touched her arm and said nothing. If that was the end of it, she'd be wrong to have reported him. He then did it a second time, this time putting his hand on her side and smiling, again not saying anything and then walking away.

The poor guy clearly has issues, but they're not her fault, and to her this was a guy who stepped in front of her twice, put his hand on her and said nothing. That's creepy as f*ck and I don't blame her for being freaked out by it.

He obviously won't be sent to prison for 10 years. Anyone who thinks he'll see any jail time is insane.

facehugger99 · 10-10-2019 2:33pm

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

I've no idea what his intention was. Maybe he was going for her beast and maybe he wasn't. .

That's the vag, right?

Boggles · 10-10-2019 2:48pm

The bottom of the barrel has been breached.

Raconteuse · 10-10-2019 2:49pm

padd b1975 wrote: »

I think I'll have to start to come to terms with the fact that I'm never going to get the ride ever again.

Based on this incident?

Over-reaction by the girl (although he was being dodge, but not so dodge that he should be reported to the authorities imo).

Doubt he'll get ten years, but some of ye, maybe try to stand back and not use this as a stick to beat all women with. Thx

El_Duderino 09 · 10-10-2019 3:08pm

Penn wrote: »

How would she have known he had no friends, or googled how to make friends etc.

The first time, he stood in front of her, touched her arm and said nothing. If that was the end of it, she'd be wrong to have reported him. He then did it a second time, this time putting his hand on her side and smiling, again not saying anything and then walking away.

The poor guy clearly has issues, but they're not her fault, and to her this was a guy who stepped in front of her twice, put his hand on her and said nothing. That's creepy as f*ck and I don't blame her for being freaked out by it.

He obviously won't be sent to prison for 10 years. Anyone who thinks he'll see any jail time is insane.

Completely agree. Prison won't make anything better for anyone. It would be pretty Important to risk assess the guy. Social lessons for the guy would be much more useful to everyone than prison.

Some people are profoundly socially inept. I live with someone who works In forensic psychology (criminals with learning difficulties) some of them don't even have theory of mind. That means they can't consider how other people feel. So they commit crimes and don't know what they've done wrong. Very sad.

From the info in the article we have no idea about his intent or if he intended to cause harm.

PoisonIvyBelle · 10-10-2019 3:13pm

The guy needs therapy for social anxiety or whatever he has going on.
The girl needs therapy for what was an anxiety-provoking and traumatic encounter for her (we don't know her history, so in some context this may have been extremely traumatic for her).

It's not sexual assault. Sexual assault is not "he touched my arm and I think he would have touched my breast". It's not okay, but it's not sexual assault and it's not something to go to prison for. It was an awkward encounter wth a socially awkward young man who from what I can see was just trying to flirt with a girl he liked and got it wrong.

I really have issue with things like this getting blown up out of proportion. It only makes it even harder for real sexual assault cases to get the respect they deserve in the press and in court.

SexBobomb · 10-10-2019 3:15pm

Penn wrote: »

The poor guy clearly has issues, but they're not her fault, and to her this was a guy who stepped in front of her twice, put his hand on her and said nothing. That's creepy as f*ck and I don't blame her for being freaked out by it.

He obviously won't be sent to prison for 10 years. Anyone who thinks he'll see any jail time is insane.

Its in the newspaper and he's probably known now by everyone in his area as some kind of sexual assaulter, thats already too much punishment in my opinion.
If this girl does feel attacked or unable to cope with this event then Im genuinely sorry for her and I hope she gets the help she needs but it certainly doesn’t sound like she’s ready to go off to college.

One eyed Jack · 10-10-2019 3:26pm

PoisonIvyBelle wrote: »

I really have issue with things like this getting blown up out of proportion. It only makes it even harder for real sexual assault cases to get the respect they deserve in the press and in court.

No it doesn’t? One has no bearing on the other. The prosecution and the magistrates who know the law and heard the evidence in this case determined that it constituted sexual assault. Therefore by that criteria, this was a real case of sexual assault, and it got the respect it deserved in Court.

Whatever way it is represented and reported in the media, and whatever anyone else chooses to make of it according to their own standards, is an entirely different matter.

Ironicname · 10-10-2019 3:27pm

One eyed Jack wrote:

And youâ€™re attempting to suggest the girl was over-reacting?

I think she definitely over reacted

Andrew00 · 10-10-2019 3:28pm

Ur man looks like a school shooter

c.p.w.g.w · 10-10-2019 3:29pm

Context and intent are very important, but people are totally ignoring that

Sam Quentin · 10-10-2019 3:31pm

I don't think he meant any arm.

One eyed Jack · 10-10-2019 3:35pm

Ironicname wrote: »

I think she definitely over reacted

Well she brushed off the first interaction between them as weird and thought nothing of it. The second time he came at her, I can’t say I blame her for making a complaint against him. It would have to have been considered an over-reaction all the way up the chain from that point on - from the investigating officers to the prosecution to the magistrates. Are they all over-reacting too?

He hasn’t even been sentenced yet and the opening post talks about how the world is fcuked and he could have been on death row for touching a girls arm. I’d suggest that was the over-reaction the Daily Mail were hoping for.

El_Duderino 09 · 10-10-2019 3:36pm

Andrew00 wrote: »

Ur man looks like a school shooter

Well, yeah he does. But isn't being socially awkward and unable to fit in, a pretty common theme in school shootings?

The INCELs get a lot of stick and they're an easy target. I think that's too easy. Those blokes need help, I'm sure they get enough sagging day in day out. The school shootings are not really the point, they're just a very obvious symptom of the fact that these people are desperately unable to cope with things and need support.

El_Duderino 09 · 10-10-2019 3:37pm

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

Context and intent are very important, but people are totally ignoring that

Not most of the people on this thread. Most people are considering both of those things.

What conclusion do you think people would come to if they considered context and intention?

osarusan · 10-10-2019 3:39pm

The defence story about just being lonely and looking for a friend sounds hopelessly untrue, but I don't think it's a sexual assault either, maybe just common assault.

suicide_circus · 10-10-2019 3:41pm

the hormonal desires coursing through the veins of a teenage boy are literally mind boggling and quite relentless. this dosnt excuse any wrongdoing but there is no talk or class in the world that can equip a person for it.

Ironicname · 10-10-2019 3:48pm

One eyed Jack wrote:

He hasnâ€™t even been sentenced yet and the opening post talks about how the world is fcuked and he could have been on death row for touching a girls arm. Iâ€™d suggest that was the over-reaction the Daily Mail were hoping for.

I'd argue that someone potentially being on a sex offenders register for what was described is absolutely absurd. I personally think any punishment is absurd.

What would you suggest would be a suitable punishment?

El_Duderino 09 · 10-10-2019 3:48pm

suicide_circus wrote: »

the hormonal desires coursing through the veins of a teenage boy are literally mind boggling and quite relentless. this dosnt excuse any wrongdoing but there is no talk or class in the world that can equip a person for it.

Yeah but most people don't do stuff like this guy. Assuming he doesn't get social interactions, he's in a different category and needs additional support.

c.p.w.g.w · 10-10-2019 3:49pm

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Not most of the people on this thread. Most people are considering both of those things.

What conclusion do you think people would come to if they considered context and intention?

Sorry I meant most people in position of power.

Just look at the count dacula in Scotland with the nazi pug context was totally ignored by the courts

suicide_circus · 10-10-2019 3:53pm

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Yeah but most people don't do stuff like this guy. Assuming he doesn't get social interactions, he's in a different category and needs additional support.

and theres also the gender dynamic at play.

El_Duderino 09 · 10-10-2019 3:55pm

suicide_circus wrote: »

and theres also the gender dynamic at play.

What does that mean?

And would you agree that this guy needs additional support?

Nermal · 10-10-2019 3:55pm

PoisonIvyBelle wrote: »

The guy needs therapy for social anxiety or whatever he has going on.
The girl needs therapy for what was an anxiety-provoking and traumatic encounter for her (we don't know her history, so in some context this may have been extremely traumatic for her).

EvErYoNe NeEdS tHeRaPy!

HTFU for god's sake.

suicide_circus · 10-10-2019 3:57pm

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

What does that mean?

well a girl touching a boys arm would never have made it to court

El_Duderino 09 · 10-10-2019 4:02pm

suicide_circus wrote: »

well a girl touching a boys arm would never have made it to court

Yeah. A girl touching a boys arm probably wouldn't have been worth reporting because of physical differences, strength, likelihood of causing harm. But I take your point. Never miss an opportunity to Bring gender into it.

10-10-2019 4:03pm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

The idea that he is even in a position to get a conviction is worrying

Hmmmm, if my Ma or daughter came home and said that some weirdo had been standing facing the bushes, in a confined space with limited escape points like, say, a bridge, then suddenly turned around and touched her without saying anything, I'd be a little concerned.

If he then did it to her on a second occasion and deliberately stood in front of her to stop her walking off only this time he instead touched her around the waist......that's clearly an escalation of behaviour and in my head I'd be thinking....."what's he working up to, how far will this go?"

There would most certainly not be a third time.

Snotty · 10-10-2019 4:07pm

I'm interested to know what would be the process here from reporting to police to going to court, would there have been an opportunity for speaking to the guardians, maybe issue a caution, maybe a realization that this wasn't an assault but just a stupid act by a simple person. Or if a complaint like this is made would it always go to court unless the perpetrator cannot be found, evidence etc.

I don't think this takes away from the victim, just because she feels threatened does not mean a crime was committed.

One eyed Jack · 10-10-2019 4:08pm

Ironicname wrote: »

I'd argue that someone potentially being on a sex offenders register for what was described is absolutely absurd. I personally think any punishment is absurd.

What would you suggest would be a suitable punishment?

‘I don’t know’ is my genuine and honest answer to that question, because I can’t say without having heard all the evidence myself what punishment would or wouldn’t be appropriate. I’d have to take into account any mitigating circumstances and so on, but like I said earlier in the thread, I’d happily see guys with that attitude so time. I really would.

The magistrates in this case who heard all the evidence in the case were of the opinion that -

Magistrates told Griffiths: 'The complainant's evidence was very clear, logical and without embellishment. We can think of no motivation for you to touch the victim other than sexual.

'Had she not taken evasive action the assault was likely to have been even more serious. The first assault can be recognised as opportunistic however there is more evidence of premeditation in the second.'

So on that basis, I’d be of the opinion that some form of punishment is appropriate for his behaviour. It might be a harsh lesson for him to learn, but I hope he does learn from it and doesn’t repeat the same sort of behaviour again. It’s not ok to do that to people.

Guy touches girls arm, faces 10 years for sexual assault

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