Sunderland sex attacker spared jail for assaulting stranger after police linked his DNA to the crime

Patrick Tierney got the woman's mobile number and invited himself to her home "for a cup of tea" after the chance encounter at the shops in Sunderland.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 51-year-old, who claimed his name was Dale and he was 38, sexually assaulted the woman when he turned up for the visit later that day.

After he left the house, he sent his victim a text message saying "It's Dale, just been, you have nothing to worry about".

Prosecutor Anne Richardson told the court the victim contacted a relative, crying, and told her what had happened and the police became involved.

The court heard Tierney was traced through his mobile number and attempted to hide his phone under a mattress when the police turned up at his door.

Tierney, of Sackville Road, Sunderland, initially denied involvement but, after his DNA linked him to the victim, later admitted sexual assault.

Judge Julie Clemitson told him: "You met her when she was upset, she told you she had been being picked on.

"You invited yourself to her house, obtained from her her address and telephone number.

"You must have realised while speaking to her she would be easily taken advantage of."

The judge said the victim was "upset" and "scared" by what happened to her and added: "Afterwards, she describes crying a lot, being scared, angry and anxious.

"She worked hard to get over that and now her feelings have been dragged back up by the case coming to crown court."

The court heard Tierney, who was in a relationship at the time of the offence, has no relevant previous convictions and has been assessed as a "low risk" of reoffending.

Tierney was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements.

Judge Clemitson told him: "There are clearly some issues you need to address with regard to your attitude towards women."

Tony Hawks, defending, said Tierney was a carer for both of his parents but he lost his father to Covid in April and now looks after his mother.

Mr Hawks said the attack was a "one-off offence" and added: "There is no suggestion he has ever behaved in this way before or since."

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