A student flying to Manchester Airport said she "just wanted to have a shower" after a vile sex attack on an easyJet flight.
A court heard how Andrew Reay told the 17-year-old Spanish student that he wanted to "f*** her" and touched her leg while onboard an easyJet flight from Lanzarote on September 2, 2020. Minshull Street Crown Court heard the 46-year-old left his victim feeling "awkward' and 'disgusting" on board the flight - but Judge Maurice Greene allowed him to walk free from court and return to the Canary Islands, insisting that Reay's employees would be 'affected' by a prison sentence for their boss.
Prosecuting, Virginia Hayton, told the court how Reay, who was sat to the right of the student, was "loud and messing around" with another passenger who appeared to be his friend. Reay bought alcohol from the cabin crew and, after consuming it, began to make the Spanish teenager feel "uncomfortable", MEN reports.
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Ms Hayton said: "She tried to move but he would get hold of her arm, telling her to stay." She told the court that after more than an hour, Reay's friend fell asleep, before the defendant 'turned all his attention' to her.
Ms Hayton explained that the teenager described Reay being 'super friendly' and encouraging her to have a drink. Despite making her feel "awkward", Reay "kept on at her" and eventually she "relented" and had a drink.
The court heard that Reay boasted about having taken drugs before the flight - claiming cannabis was "not hard enough" for him so he had "put white powder" in his joints "to make them good". Reay was "touchy" with members of cabin crew, Ms Hayton said, while he continued to grab the girl's arm.
Ms Hayton said Reay opened his legs wide enough to touch the teenager's, which made her feel "horrible". He then placed his left hand on her thigh and "ran it up and down over her trousers", leaving her feeling 'disgusting', the court heard.
"She said she just wanted to go home and have a shower," said Ms Hayton. The court heard how Reay made comments about having sex with the teenager and she pushed his hand away.
Ms Hayton said: "He said 'it's a shame' she was only 17 and 'he would like to f*** her'. She felt like crying. She felt scared. She thought he could get violent at any time."
The teenager called cabin crew, who moved Reay to another seat on the plane. Ms Hayton told the court that another passenger, whose son had autism and wore a head harness, then described Reay "shouting and swearing" at them.
In a statement, the flight's captain said he considered diverting the flight to Birmingham Airport because of Reay's behaviour. But Reay eventually fell asleep in his new seat, and he was arrested at Manchester Airport on arrival.
The court heard Reay, of Lawton Street, Crewe, now lives on the Canary Islands and runs a business there. He had pleaded not guilty to section 3 sexual assault on a female at Manchester Magistrates Court, but was convicted following a trial.
Defending, Eleanor Gleeson said her client "understands the seriousness of the offence" and now shows "remorse" for his actions. Reay had no convictions since the year 2000, and although His Honour Greene said the defendant had a number of difficulties in his youth, had since "made a life for himself in the Canary Islands".
The judge described the incident as "extremely unpleasant", but felt it was "not the behaviour that [Reay] exhibits on a regular basis" - instead suggesting he was affected by the influence of alcohol, drugs or both. His Honour Greene also commented how a prison sentence would have an "effect on his employees" and told court he was following guidelines before sentencing Reay to a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
He added: "You targeted this 17-year-old Spanish student who was minding her own business and you were suggestive to her. You gave her little room, opened your legs out so your legs were against her legs, and then rubbed her leg up and down.
"You knew that was unpleasant for her. You said at one point, 'am I making you uncomfortable?'. You knew she was 17 because you said 'it's a shame you are 17 because I want to f*** you.
"This was a young lady of 17 who all she wanted to do was fly from one place to another, and she had to contend with your attentions in a place that she could not really escape, on a plane."
Reay must also pay costs of £400 and had signed the sex offenders register following his conviction.
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