By Sue Crawford and Nick Griffiths

Last updated at 12:01, Thursday, 25 October 2012

A well-known Carlisle nightclub DJ is facing jail for indecently assaulting a young girl nearly 20 years ago.

Richard Kane

Richard Kane, 36, is also understood to be the man behind plans to reopen the derelict former Mood nightclub in Botchergate.

Kane was found guilty of the “serious” crime following a trial at Carlisle Crown Court.

A jury took just under one hour and 30 minutes to return the verdict. Kane, of Blackwell Road, Currock, Carlisle, was remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing next month.

Kane has worked as a DJ at Terminal 1 and Rouge, both in Englishgate Plaza off Botchergate. He also worked in other venues in the city including Kiss, also in Englishgate Plaza.

The court heard he twice touched the same 10-year-old when he was about 18.

The court had seen video evidence of a police interview with the victim in which she said she “knew it wasn’t right”.

The jury had also been told how she said he had “a week or two later” put his hand on her nose and mouth and threatened her.

The woman gave evidence in court. It was only last year that she told anyone about what Kane had done to her.

Kane had claimed the incidents she described simply never happened. But the jury found him guilty of the charge of indecent assault.

Judge Peter Hughes QC told Kane: “The jury has had to make its decision as to who has been telling the truth. The jury has made its decision.

“This is a serious matter. The sentence must inevitably be one of imprisonment.”

Kane will discover how long his term will be at a hearing on November 12 once a pre-sentence report has been compiled. The case was adjourned until this date.

Mike Tudor, who runs Terminal 1 and Rouge, said that Kane had worked as a self-employed DJ at the clubs. He said he had never been on the books.

He said: “He worked at Terminal and Rouge for around two years.When these allegations surfaced we were approached by police and licensing officers. From that point he was not allowed in our premises.”

Kane was thought to be reopening Mood as Wonderland through his company Wonderland Leisure Ltd.

First published at 11:41, Thursday, 25 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk