A WHITEHAVEN pensioner will be sentenced next month after he admitted harassing a 16-year-old girl he “flirted with and tried to kiss”.
Joseph Patrick Mullen, 73, admitted one offence of harassment when he appeared in the dock at Carlisle Crown Court today (FRI). This criminal conduct was committed during late 2019 and early this year.
The court heard there had been “repeated” incidents within this period of time involving the girl.
Mullen’s barrister, Judith McCullough, said he had believed the female to be an older woman. She added: “He was having inappropriate conversations with the 16-year-old girl. At the time he believed she was someone else. He accepts entirely he should have taken more care.”
Recorder Mark Rhind heard Mullen was “extremely ill” and in the “highly vulnerable group supposed to shield”. The judge adjourned the case for a probation service a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Mullen, of Wastwater Road, Whitehaven, was bailed on condition that he does not contact the girl, and is due to be sentenced on December 18. Recorder Rhind noted the offence had been “upsetting” for the girl with Mullen “flirting with her and trying to kiss her”.
