A 54-YEAR-OLD man who sexually assaulted a teenager on a train has been given a suspended sentence.

Luke Hollyfield, of Roman Road, Wheatley, was handed a three-month jail term, suspended for two years, at Oxford Crown Court last Thursday[feb4].

Jurors found Hollyfield guilty by majority verdict last month after spending four hours and 53 minutes deliberating.

Sentencing, Judge Zoe Smith said: "It was a very unpleasant incident for a young girl on her own in an empty carriage.

"It was in fact the first time she had travelled in a train on her own. One can see from the victim impact statement how it affected her and eight days later, how she felt unable to get on a train, and is really still in shock as a result of this confrontation.

"The girl was young and she was shaking – she was in fear."

During the trial, the victim said she boarded the train at Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, at 1pm on March 1 to visit her dad in Aylesbury. Hollyfield got on at High Wycombe.

The girl told the court he put his hands around her throat while they were in an empty carriage, stroked her and kissed her on the cheek.

Hollyfield, who was taking medication for manic depression at the time, admitted his actions but claimed he was only trying to have a friendly conversation with the girl.

During sentencing, defence barrister Kevin Batch said: "This is a man who has learned a harsh lesson. He is ashamed by his behaviour.

"He recognises it was indeed a distressing and particularly unpleasant experience for the young lady."

Judge Smith ordered Hollyfield to sign the Sex Offenders Register and pay a victim surcharge.

He was also made subject to a 60-day rehabilitation requirement and a two-year community requirement.