Manchester gay bar manager jailed for sexually assaulting sleeping teen
By Will Stroude
A Manchester gay bar manager has been found guilty of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old man who fell asleep in his venue.
Robert Ashton – who runs Centre Stage bar on Bloom Street – was jailed for 27 months after pleading guilty to filming himself on camera performing a series of lewd acts on the teenager, who was “out for the count” after a night of drinking at the venue, Manchester Evening News reports.
CCTV images captured Ashton pulling down the victim’s trousers, smoking a cigarette as he molested him, and slapping and pinching him to check whether he was asleep.
While handing down his sentence at Manchester Crown Court, Judge Michael Leeming said Ashton’s behaviour had a “prolonged and profound effect” on the victim, and that Mr Ashton had filmed the incident for his own “sexual gratification”.
Prosecutor Phil Dobson said that the teenager was “oblivious” throughout the incident, but after waking and realising what had happened, reported it to the police.
When questioned, Mr Ashton told officers the victim had been “flirting all night”, and that he believed he was gay, consenting, and simply pretending to be asleep.
He added: “That’s what it’s like when you first come out – you let the other person take the lead”.
His barrister Michael Goldwater said Mr Ashton believed there was an “unspoken” agreement to sex – but conceded he should have immediately “desisted” once the complainant fell asleep.
“(The victim) was very good at the banter and double entendre normal in such premises and made a number of comments which indicated he might be gay”, Mr Goldwater said.
“Everyone in the bar assumed he was gay – they were wrong and it’s clear now he was trying to fit in – not an uncommon mistake if you’re drinking in a gay bar”.
The victim has said he was “traumatised” by the assault, leaving him depressed, suicidal and drinking heavily. In a statement, he added the attack had had a “massive effect” on his life and he was caused “further pain and distress” by Mr Ashton’s initial refusal to lead guilty.
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