A married father from Carlisle who brazenly subjected a schoolgirl to a sexual assault at a party has been jailed for six months.

At the city's Rickergate magistrates' court, an emotional statement from the 15-year-old victim was read aloud, revealing how she was left so traumatised that she has had to seek the help of a professional counsellor.

At an earlier hearing, 43-year-old William Pinkerton, who blamed his actions on drinking too much, admitted sexual assault.

In the statement, the teenager said: “He blames his actions on the drink but that is no excuse. He has no idea of what effect his wrongdoing has had on [my] family.”

Since being targeted by Pinkerton, said the girl, her confidence had been shattered and her schoolwork had suffered and as a result of what happened she suffered from motivation problems and poor sleep.

Prosecutor John Moran had earlier outlined how Pinkerton, of Chertsey Mount, off London Road, Carlisle, was described as clearly being drunk by other party goers but he would still have known what he was doing.

The first indication he gave of his interest in the teenager was when he had approached her from behind and touched her back.

“As the night moved on, a number of witnesses described how the defendant deliberately manouevred himself to be next to [the girl]. The victim said he had then sat next to her and started touching her leg,” said Mr Moran.

In the minutes that followed, and to the horror of witnesses, Pinkerton began groping the girl, who was left in a state of shock and distress.

Mr Moran said: “She does not understand why this happened. It caused a great deal of upset to the victim. A number of witnesses who were present intervened, telling him to stop his behaviour. They were shocked by what took place.

“One witness said that she would take the young victim away.”

At some point, said Mr Moran, the defendant had suggested the girl could stay with him that night, raising yet more concerns.

When interviewed by the police, the defendant confirmed he had been battling against an alcohol problem and claimed he had no recollection of what had happened at the party that night.

Pinkerton, whose wife sat in the public gallery, told the court he did not feel he needed legal representation because there was no dispute over the facts.

He told the court: “I don't know what came into my mind on the night in question. The whole idea [of this] is inconceivable to me. I'm not saying I am not responsible: I take on board what everybody is saying.

“But it's not something that is in my character. I have no idea what has gone on.

“It shows how out-of-control and extremely destructive my alcohol abuse had become. But that's no excuse. I am responsible. I've tried to address my alcohol problem again and have not drunk since this time.”

He said he had cooperated with the various agencies which could help him and he appreciated how hurtful his actions had been to all involved, adding that if he could have apologised to the girl he would have done so.

“I am so sorry that this has happened,” he added.

District Judge Vincent McDade noted that Pinkerton, who has resigned from his job, was a man of previous good character who had shown remorse.

Noting the defendant was a father himself, the judge said the age of the victim almost persuaded him that the case should be treated in a more serious offence category, which would have rendered his sentencing powers in the case inadequate.

“You are 43, and she was 15,” said the judge.

The judge added that Pinkerton, whose victim's family were also in the public gallery, should have his name on the Sex Offenders' Register for the next seven years. He will serve half of his six month term in custody, and the remainder on licence.

When released, he must pay a £115 victim surcharge. After the case, his wife broke down outside the court.