Pervert, 31, who sexually assaulted 10-year-old girl by squeezing her bottom as she was shopping with friends at Boots in Victoria Station avoids jail
- Brian Hooper, 31, groped a 10-year-old girl inside a Boots store in Victoria
- The youngster immediately reported the assault to staff and police
- Police arrested Hooper three days after the assault after releasing CCTV images
- A judge today handed him a 24-month community order and told to attend rehab
A former NHS worker who sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl at London’s Victoria Station was spared jail today.
Ben Hooper, 31, groped the youngster as she shopped with friends at Boots at Victoria Place Shopping Centre on June 11.
Hooper was captured on CCTV carrying out the attack and he was arrested three days later following an appeal for information by the British Transport Police.
Ben Hooper, pictured left outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court, left, was caught three days after he groped a 10-year-old girl in Victoria on June 11 after police released a CCTV image, right
Hooper targeted the girl at the Boots store at London’s Victoria Station, pictured. He was today banned from using either Victoria main line or underground station for 12 months
Frances McCormack, prosecuting, said the victim ate at McDonald’s with her friends before making their way down the escalator to Boots.
‘They were looking at skin care products.
‘The victim first noticed the defendant in the store.
‘The victim described the defendant squeezing [the right side] of her bottom.
‘She reported it to a member of staff at Boots.
‘The police reviewed CCTV footage.
‘The incident was clearly captured on CCTV.’
Following his arrest Hooper answered no comment to all questions, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
Ms McCormack added: ‘This was a 10-year-old. She was a young female attending a public space with her friends.
District Judge Annabel Pilling told Hooper: ‘This would have been extremely traumatic for a very young victim.
‘It would have had an impact on her but also on other children who were present.
‘Children this age should be allowed to go to a shop with a friend without the risk of being sexually assaulted.
‘It is not just the child who is impacted. There is a ripple effect. Her parents may feel they didn’t keep her safe.’
Hooper, who had worked as an NHS administrator for a number of years, appeared in court wearing a light blue shirt, dark blue tie and black trousers.
Families of both Hooper and the victim were in court where there was a hostile exchange.
Hooper fought back tears as he was sentenced to a 24-month community order which includes him taking part in 20 days of rehab and attending 35 days of the Horizon programme.
He was also banned from entering Victoria main line or underground stations for 12 months.
Detective Constable Tony Gittins had described the offence as a ‘particularly disturbing incident given the very young age of the victim.’
Hooper, of West Kingsdown, Kent, admitted sexual assault by touching.
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