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15
Aug
Man sentenced after sexual assault at Aldi in Harrogate
A man has been sentenced after a sexual assault on a woman at Aldi supermarket in Harrogate.
Philip Campbell, 42, of Bramham Drive in Harrogate, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court today (August 15) where he spoke to confirm his name and address.
Campbell, who admitted sexually assaulting a named victim at the supermarket on February 23, 2025 at a previous hearing appeared before magistrates for sentencing.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court that the assault happened at the Oak Beck Road store at around 3.30pm.
She said Campbell had “engaged in regular conversation” with the complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in the weeks prior to the incident.
The court heard that on February 23, the 42-year-old approached the named victim in the store to speak with her.
When she turned around she felt a hand “grab hold of her buttock”, Ms Ibbotson said.
She said:
She was in shock and froze. She saw the defendant smirking and giggling.
Ms Ibbotson told the court that a few minutes later the named victim felt someone behind her. When she turned around, she saw the defendant.
The prosecution said Campbell told the woman “you got a great handful there”.
The court heard that the named victim “felt disgusting” after the assault and was now “hyper aware” of her surroundings.
Unacceptable behaviour
Georgina Fishwick, defending, told the court that the defendant accepted that his behaviour was unacceptable and apologised for his actions.
She said:
He accepts that his behaviour was unacceptable and he is very sorry for the distress that he has caused her.
He does not intend to go back into the store.
Magistrates ordered Campbell to undertake an 18-month community order, which includes 25 rehabilitation activity days.
He was also subject to a two-year restraining order, which prohibits him from contacting the victim, and excluded from entering the Aldi supermarket at Oak Beck Retail Park for 12 months.
Campbell was also placed onto the sex offenders register and ordered to pay a victim’s surcharge of £114 and £85 in court costs.
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