Turkish Take-Away Boss Groped 2 Women in 1 Night

From The Morpeth Herald:

A TAKE-AWAY owner groped two women revellers who stopped outside his shop, a court heard.

Mehmet Gilgiler, 40, groped one woman as she tried to get into a car after a night out in Morpeth on August 30 last year, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

Turkish national Gilgiler attacked as his victim was standing outside his Salt and Pepper take-away around midnight.

He then snatched a camera from the victim's friend as she tried to take a picture of him as evidence, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

He returned inside his shop, but just hours later he sexually assaulted another woman, as she waited outside the restaurant at 3am.

Gilgiler took her handbag and, while an accomplice held her back, Gilgiler groped the distraught girl.

Gilgiler, who has since moved to London, was arrested.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault on the day his trial was due to start at Newcastle Crown Court.

Jason Elliott, defending, said Gilgiler, with no previous convictions, was horrified at his offending.

He said Gilgiler had obtained British citizenship and was a hard working member of the community.

"He recognises that this behaviour is not only wrong but also insulting to women," said Mr Elliott.

Judge Esmond Faulks gave Gilgiler a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.

He must also sign on the sex offenders' register for seven years, and attend a sex offender treatment programme.

The judge told Gilgiler: "You need to learn that although English girls when they go out may show more of their bodies than Turkish girls, it does not mean that a stranger such as yourself can touch them."