A WEST Cumbria man has been jailed for sexually assaulting and verbally abusing a 15-year-old girl while drunk.
Kevin McTaggart, 28, called the female a “tramp” and a “scruff” during a prolonged incident on January 20. McTaggart made a series of crude gestures and deeply offensive and inappropriate remarks to the teen, and subjected her to repeated sexual touching.
Carlisle Crown Court heard the girl was left traumatised by McTaggart’s actions. He initially denied wrongdoing but pleaded guilty to sexual assault during a hearing earlier today.
“I have felt intimidated and scared to go out,” she said in a victim impact statement. “I am very wary when I see men. He made me feel vulnerable and it has knocked my self-confidence.”
Marion Weir, defending, conceded there was “little or no mitigation” for McTaggart’s offending, telling the court: “It is unpleasant, unattractive and fuelled by alcohol, and he acknowledges that.”
McTaggart had been sentenced in 2015 for a previous sexual assault on another 15-year-old girl he had kissed without consent.
Jailing McTaggart, of South Street, Egremont for nine months, Judge Nicholas Barker called his offending “lewd, offensive and wholly disgraceful”. “You were without restraint and your behaviour is entirely contemptible,” added the judge.
McTaggart must sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and will be subject to the strict terms of a sexual harm prevention order for five years.
