Man jailed inappropriate behaviour towards girl in Southport

A man has been jailed for inappropriate behaviour towards a teenage girl in a Southport shop.

On Thursday 9 January a 15-year-old girl was with her friend in B&M at Central 12 Retail Park when a man approached them and repeatedly asked them to drink alcohol with him.

They refused and told him their age to which he then put his arm around the 15-year-old girl and kissed her on the cheek.

Detectives identified and charged David Bigley, 45 years, of Hundred End Lane in Hesketh Bank with sexual assault on a female and possession of a controlled Class B drug, cannabis, on Friday 10 January and he appeared in court the next day.

On Saturday 11 January, Bigley pleaded guilty at Liverpool Magistrates Court where he was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison and put on the Sexual Offenders Register for seven years.

Detective Inspector Paul McVeigh said: “Bigley’s behaviour towards the young girls was totally inappropriate and unacceptable, despite them telling him their age. His conduct was not welcome and these unwanted advances should not happen to any female of any age and will not be tolerated.

“Thankfully he pleaded guilty, and he was sentenced quickly which saved the victim the ordeal of having to go through the legal process or relieve the experience in court by way of a trial.”

Detective Inspector McVeigh added: “We are committed to tackling any form of abuse or violence against women or girls. We will ensure that they are given the support and action that is required at their time of need.”

You can find out more about our commitment to ending violence against women and girls here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/police-forces/merseyside-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/2024/september/our-commitment-to-keeping-women-and-girls-safe-in-merseyside

If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, the following organisations can also provide help and support:
 
NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail [email protected].
Childline – call 0800 1111

If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind don’t be afraid to tell someone, find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve.

You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences anonymously here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

There is a lot of support available from specialist officers within Merseyside Police and through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities.

In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.