Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Monday, 17th June 2024, at 16:15hrs
A man has been jailed for seven and a half years for sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a hotel in Liverpool city centre.
In a social media update after sentencing, Merseyside Police said,
“Andrew Peel, 48, of Pochard Close, in Bradford, was sentenced today, Monday 17 June, at Liverpool Crown Court after being found guilty of sexual assault.
The incident happened at The Premier Inn, on Gower Street, on Monday 21 February 2022 when Peel sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl.
Peel was arrested on the same evening and subsequently charged. Despite denying the offence, he was found guilty following a six-day trial held in May this year.
Detective Constable Claire McDonald said: “Peel carried out an appalling and depraved sexual assault on a teenage girl and he will now face a significant time behind bars.
“He also prolonged the suffering of his victim by denying the offence and forcing her to relive her ordeal in a trial.
“I would like to commend her for showing such strength and resolve throughout what was an extremely traumatic time, and we hope that today’s sentence brings her some sense of justice as she continues to recover.
“Anyone that has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us. Please be assured that we have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.
“We take all such reports extremely seriously, and work with partner organisations such as Victim care Support Service and RASA who are there to support victims every step of the way.”
To report a sexual offence call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind, support is available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities. In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
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