Martin Dempsey, of Secker Avenue, appeared via video link before Liverpool Crown Court on Monday afternoon.
Prosecuting, Simon Mintz told the court that on June 3 of last year, Dempsey was in Warrington town centre and drinking with a group of people.
A member of that group was a 34-year-old woman, who had been subject to sexual advances from the 56-year-old prior to the day which she had consistently rejected.
The group were sat drinking in a park in the town centre before they moved to ‘find more drink’.
The 34-year-old woman and Dempsey were then left alone by a ramp near Warrington Central Station for around 30 minutes.
Mr Mintz told the court that the pair could be seen talking and playfighting on CCTV, before Dempsey told the victim ‘I’m going to f**k you everywhere’.
The victim once again rejected his advances, the court heard, but Dempsey’s behaviour became ‘abusive’ as he called her a ‘s**g’ and a ‘s**t’.
Dempsey grabbed the crotch of the woman over her jeans, which caused her to push his arms away and, in an attempt to ‘make a joke out of it’, called him an ‘idiot’.
The court heard that two minutes later, Dempsey grabbed the victim by the throat and pushed her head against a wall, restricting her breathing until he released his grip 10 to 15 seconds later. The incident resulted in no physical injury to the woman.
A witness helped the woman by calling her into the station and was thanked repeatedly by the victim who was said to ‘look frightened’.
Dempsey was located by police near the station ‘surrounded by bottles of drink’ and the 56-year-old informed officers that he ‘couldn’t remember’ what happened except the pair were ‘playfighting’.
A victim impact statement read out to the court noted that the woman moved away from Warrington after the assault as Dempsey is ‘well known’ in the town.
Defending, Phil Tully told the court that both the victim and Dempsey were under the influence of alcohol at the time, and that the woman also grabbed the 56-year-old inappropriately.
Dempsey assaulted his victim near Warrington Central Station on June 3 (Image: Google Maps)
“The complainant grabbed Mr Dempsey in an inappropriate manner over his clothing near his genitals,” said Mr Tully.
“He accepts that his conduct was worse than that of the complainant and was unacceptable.
“He understands that they are serious offences and is thoroughly ashamed of his conduct.”
The court heard that the 56-year-old has a history of mental health issues, alcohol misuse and feels ‘genuinely remorseful’ for his offending.
“He is both ashamed and disgusted by his conduct,” said Mr Tully.
“He is determined to put his offending behind him. He accepts that what he did was wrong, he accepts that he deserves to be punished.”
The court heard that Dempsey has a history of offending, including theft and possession of cannabis.
In 2007 the then 36-year-old was put on probation after he was caught playing cowboys and Indians in a back garden with an imitation firearm while intoxicated.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge David Potter reiterated that the victim had clearly and repeatedly rejected his advances before Dempsey proceeded to assault her.
“You had requested sexual gratification from her on previous occasions,” said Judge Potter.
“You again persisted with the request for sex, she again said she wasn’t interested. You tried to accuse her of being a s**g and a s**t.
“Only a couple of minutes later you then grabbed her by the throat, pushed her head back against the wall and for a good 10 seconds or so, disrupting her breathing.”
Judge Potter reflected upon the psychological impact strangulation can have upon a victim, even if no physical injury was caused, by quoting a victim from a different case.
“People underestimate, said the survivor, how often it happens,” said Judge Potter.
“This court does not underestimate the effect that this has on those who suffer these assaults.”
Dempsey’s desire to rehabilitate was also acknowledged by Judge Potter who said ‘only time will tell’ whether he does stop drinking.
The 56-year-old, who has been remanded in custody, was sentenced to a total of 16 months immediate imprisonment. He must also comply with the sex offenders register for the next 10 years.
A restraining order was also granted for the next five years in order to protect the victim.