Groper who blamed cocaine for attack sentenced

Gary McCaffery was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court

A man who sought to blame cocaine for his groping of a woman has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Gary McCaffery, 45, repeatedly ignored his victim's pleas to stop when he assaulted her in February, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The father-of-six later sent her messages saying "I'm so sorry" and "that's why I don't take [cocaine]", prosecutors said.

His victim said McCaffery's actions were "unacceptable and unforgivable" and had triggered major mental health issues. He was jailed for a year suspended for two years after admitting sexual assault.

'Terrible ordeal'

McCaffery, of Victoria Road East in Hebburn, South Tyneside, repeatedly exposed himself to the woman and said "you know you want it".

He also asked her to perform sex acts on him then groped her, Judge Nathan Adams said.

The following day he sent her the apologetic messages on Facebook, the court heard.

The judge said the woman had suffered a "terrible ordeal" because of McCaffery's "very persistent" and "wholly inappropriate" actions.

The court heard the defendant told probation officers he could not recall the attack but he was "highly ashamed" and had "made a mess of his life".

It also heard that he had a history of depression and alcoholism.

McCaffrey will have to attend alcohol, mental health and sexual offence rehabilitation sessions as part of his sentence.