‘No sexual motive’ for 14-year-old Burnley bottom slapper - Update

A teenage boy has admitted 10 separate incidents of bottom slapping in Burnley. The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted to five counts of assault and asked for five others to be taken into consideration when he appeared at Reedley Youth Court. The incidents dated from November 15th to January 2nd when on each occasion the boy approached the victims, slapped their bottom and ran off.

Mrs Julia Bennett (prosecuting) told the court on November 15th the first victim was walking along Padiham Road, Burnley, between 5-30 p.m. and 5-50 p.m. when she was slapped on the bottom. Two similar incident occurred on December 3rd in Watt Street when a 24-year-old woman was assaulted, and in Hargrove Avenue when a 19-year-old woman was assaulted. A 47-year-old woman was also slapped on the bottom on December 28th in Alder Street, and on January 2nd an 18-year-old woman was slapped around the head and bottom in Dugdale Road. Mrs Bennett said: “He cannot explain why he committed the offences but denies any sexual motive.



While some of the victims have described the assault as an adolescent prank, the 19-year-old victim has been more seriously affected. She now suffers panic attacks, is nervous and cannot walk alone.” Mrs Bennett told the magistrates the boy had been given a referral order last November for robbery, which also involved the victim’s bottom being slapped. Miss Krystal Savoie (defending) said: “He has co-operated fully with the police and recognises his behaviour is wrong. He has difficulty in explaining his motivation but denies a sexual motive, which is reflected in the police charge. He has also met the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.”

Magistrates extended the boy’s referral order to 12 months, order compensation to the 19-year-old victim of £75 and ordered costs of £85 to be paid. The chairman of the Bench said: “This kind of incident is traumatic for anybody, but particularly in hours of darkness. It is not acceptable to do this in society and you need to start thinking about your actions. If you come before this court again you will be in serious trouble.”

Previously.