A pervert who sexually molested a 10-year-old child while she shopped with friends at Boots in Victoria Station faces imprisonment.
Ben Hooper, 31, from West Kingsdown, Kent, was captured on surveillance footage fondling the victim at Victoria Place Shopping Centre on June 11 at approximately 2:50 p.m.
Three days after the British Transport Police issued a call for information, Hooper was detained.
The Westminster Magistrates Court was informed that Hooper did not respond to any queries after his detention.
Frances McCormack, the prosecutor, said to the court that the girl and her companions ate at McDonald’s prior to visiting Boots to look at skin care goods.
She stated, “The victim first seen the suspect in the store.”
The victim stated that the defendant squeezed her [right] buttock.
She reported the incident to a Boots employee.
The police examined surveillance footage.
The event was captured on CCTV cameras.
Ms. McCormack further stated, “This was a 10-year-old.” She was a young woman with her companions in a public location.’
Hooper guilty to sexual assault by touching and was released on bond before to his 18 October sentencing.
He was given bail on the condition that he has no contact with minors and only uses the underground for medical or legal reasons.
Ben Hooper, 31, from West Kingsdown, Kent, was captured on CCTV touching the victim’s right buttock at Victoria Place Shopping Centre on Saturday, June 11 at approximately 2:30 p.m.
CCTV footage revealed that following his arrest, Hooper did not respond to any queries.
District Judge Annabel Pilling stated to Hooper, ‘This would have been incredibly terrible for a child victim.’
It would have had an effect not only on her, but also on the other youngsters present.
Children of this age should be permitted to go shopping with a companion without fear of sexual assault.
It’s not only the child that is affected. There are repercussions. Her parents may feel they didn’t keep her secure.’