A pervert businessman made a 17-year-old girl feel "disgusting" after a vile sexual assault on board an easyJet flight.
Andrew Reay told the teenager he wanted to "f*** her" and touched her leg on a flight to Manchester Airport. Reay eventually fell asleep on board the easyJet flight from Lanzarote after "screaming and shouting", Minshull Street Crown Court heard on Tuesday, October 25.
The 46-year-old left his teen 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 Reay's employees would be "affected" by a prison sentence for their boss.
READ MORE: 'Gang of teens' block road with piece of wood and hurl abuse
Virginia Hayton, prosecuting told the court the incident took place back on September 2, 2020. The court heard Reay, who was sat to the right of the student, was "loud and messing around" with another passenger. Reay bought alcohol on the flight and after consuming it began to make the Spanish teen feel "uncomfortable".
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 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 Manchester Evening News reported 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 joints to "make them good". Ms Hayton said Reay was "touchy" with members of cabin crew 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 prosecutor added: "She said she just wanted to go home and have a shower."
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 added: "She felt like crying. She felt scared. She thought he could get violent at any time."
Reay was moved by cabin crew to another seat on the plane following complaints from the teenager. The court heard 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 was arrested at Manchester Airport on arrival.
The court heard Reay, of Lawton Street, Crewe, now lives in 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.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here .
READ NEXT:
Police officer screamed racist abuse and recorded himself by mistake
Couple lose six and a half stone after making one simple change
Driver in 90mph chase was 'scared because of man who got shot by police'
'Wicked' carer left woman to die alone after lying about visiting
