A HAMPSHIRE shopkeeper sexually assaulted a teenage girl's within hours of groping another woman.

Shopkeeper Sentenced for Sexual Assault

A Hampshire shopkeeper has been sentenced for sexually assaulting a teenage girl and another woman within hours of each other.

Michael Tut, 56, of Turtle Close, Fareham, invited a 16-year-old girl to his flat above an Eastleigh shop to view his "new decor." The girl, taking the invitation at "face value," went to the flat, but as she was leaving, Tut began to hug her and attempt to kiss her.

He then went on to grope her inappropriately, leaving the girl "shocked and frightened." She immediately contacted her mother, who called the police.

Earlier that same day, Tut had persuaded another woman to go to lunch with him. After eating, he asked her to take a selfie with him. Tut sat behind the woman and kissed her cheek before groping her multiple times.

The court heard that Tut used his position as a shopkeeper to befriend young girls, allowing them to purchase tobacco and offering them free alcohol.

Tut pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault related to the events of June 3, 2019. He was sentenced to a 36-month community order, which includes 30 days of rehabilitation activities, 100 hours of unpaid work, and a five-year sexual harm prevention order.

Judge Gary Burrell QC warned Tut about any potential breaches of the order, stating, "For goodness sake behave like your age. You do not want to spend a year in Winchester prison Mr Tut because you might not survive."