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Man found guilty of touching child inappropriately in pub

Man found guilty of touching child inappropriately in pub

Friday 11 August 2023

Man found guilty of touching child inappropriately in pub

Friday 11 August 2023


A 43-year-old man has been found guilty of sexually touching a young girl while in a pub.

Joao Gomes Drummond, who stood trial in the Magistrate's Court this week, had denied touching the girl inappropriately over her clothing three times and trying to kiss her on the lips before kissing her shoulder.

The young victim told her mother and Drummond was arrested the next day.

He will be sentenced in September.

The teenage victim gave evidence at the trial of Drummond yesterday.

She said that Drummond approached her from behind and stroked and slapped her buttocks.

The girl said that he left the room but returned soon afterwards and tried to kiss her on the mouth. She added that she said "no" and moved, so that he kissed her on the shoulder.

She told legal adviser Francis Burak, prosecuting, that she was "mad and I was sad about what he had done".

Another guest at the function said he had seen Drummond near the alleged victim and heard her say: "No."

The guest said the girl then told him that Drummond had tried to kiss her but did not mention the alleged touching. He added that he advised her to tell her mother.

Drummond also gave evidence at the trial via a Portuguese interpreter.

Advocate Rui Tremoceiro, defending, asked him: "Do you remember touching her?"

He said: "I don’t remember, but if I did it was unintentional."

Drummond said also said that the alleged victim’s mother later confronted him.

The trial concluded today.

Following the verdict, Detective Constable Carla Garnier commented: “We are committed to investigating and prosecuting all sexual offenders and want to assure victims that there are a number of agencies who are in a position to offer support and guidance through all stages of the criminal justice process.

"We work with key partners and advocacy services such as the SARC at Dewberry House, JDAS, JAAR and the Jersey Women’s Refuge, to encourage victims of sexual crime to report such incidents."

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