A man who sexually assaulted his colleague has had an 18 month community order imposed after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred the original sentence for being too lenient.
Darren Riley, 44, groped his colleague on four separate occasions. First, he made a suggestive comment to the victim. Then, when she left the room, he followed her and squeezed her bottom. Following that initial incident, Riley proceeded to grope the victim in the same way on three other separate occasions.
In interview, Riley denied committing the offences, claiming that the allegations were a conspiracy by the victim in order to ‘usurp his position’.
The original sentence was a conditional discharge for 18 months. Following the intervention of the Solicitor General, Riley was ordered to undertake an 18 month community order, with an unpaid work requirement of 80 hours.
Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:
“Riley abused the trust of his colleague in order to sexually assault her. His actions have had a continuing effect on the victim and it’s in the interest of justice that the sentence be increased.”