A Shanklin man who initially denied sexually assaulting a female before then changing his plea at the 11th hour has been handed a 12-month community order.
Earlier this year, Anthony Ayres, 56, of Atherley Road in Shanklin, denied a single charge of sexual assault on a female, stating he wasn’t the man at the scene and that he didn’t commit the offence. At that hearing on 2nd April, Ayres elected a Crown Court trial.
But, appearing at the Isle of Wight Crown Court last week (Thursday 14th November), Ayres changed his plea at the 11th hour.
The court heard how on the evening of the 10th June 2023, Ayres got off a Southern Vectis Route 8 bus outside Sandown Library and approached a woman questioning her about her gender.
Upon being asked the question, the woman confirmed to Ayres that she was indeed a woman, however the 56-year-old was unsatisfied with the answer and so reached out and attempted to grab her genitals before seeing his hand swatted away.
Ayres was handed a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days and a 6-month alcohol treatment requirement attached. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a total of 5 years and ordered to pay court costs of £520.
