Jonathan Tindall lost his position at Bridlington Town FC as a result of the incident
Jonathan Tindall appeared at Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
A woman was left shocked and in tears after a Bridlington Town Football Club vice-chairman “took a shine” to her and made “unwanted sexual advances towards her” during a late-night encounter in a bar. Jonathan Tindall later claimed that his behaviour was “just a laugh” but it was “prolonged and sustained” and lasted for about half an hour.
The “unpleasant” incident involved “specific targeting” of the woman and it left her so frightened that she “froze” and did not know what to do. Hull Crown Court heard. Tindall, 55, of Sewerby Avenue, Bridlington, admitted an offence of sexual assault. He lost his role at the football club after the incident came to light.
Clara Brown, prosecuting, said that Tindall was vice-chairman of Bridlington Town Football Club at the time of the incident. He had been drinking in a Bridlington bar when he “lunged towards” a 21-year-old woman, grabbed hold of her and tried to kiss her.
She turned her head away. CCTV pictures showed that Tindall squeezed and stroked her bottom and smacked it as she bent down. He told her: “Please, just one kiss and I’ll go.” She refused and froze.
“This was a prolonged and sustained incident occurring over some 30 minutes or 35 minutes,” said Miss Brown. There was “specific targeting” of a vulnerable victim while he was under the influence of alcohol.
The woman had never felt so scared in her life but she did not report the incident at the time and did not want people to think that it was her fault. The incident was discovered when CCTV pictures were later examined in an unrelated investigation to see if drinks were regularly being taken without payment.
Tindall was shown the video pictures and he claimed that his behaviour was “just a laugh” and that he had been doing that sort of thing “for years”. The matter was reported to the police.
During police interview, Tindall denied the offence and claimed that the woman was “flirty” and “touchy feely” towards him. He claimed that he was “being set up” and that he was the victim of a “conspiracy”.
The woman said in a statement that she read to the court that her life had changed as a result of the incident. The effect of what happened had an “overwhelming impact” on her.
She was frightened and on edge and became quite panicky. She struggled to go out with friends and no longer felt safe.
“I feel I have lost the freedom and confidence I had before,” she said. She continued to deal with the consequences of the sexual assault every day.
Connor Stuart, mitigating, said that Tindall pleaded guilty at an early stage and he had no previous convictions. “He knows this is serious offending,” said Mr Stuart.
Tindall originally showed a “deficiency in insight” into the offence. He had worked all his life and he had a lengthy working history in the building industry.
He had made substantial contributions to his local community and he had shown reliability, generosity and practical assistance to others. There were references for him. He had lost his position as vice-chairman of Bridlington Town Football Club because of the incident and he was no longer a part of the club. His long-term relationship had broken down.
Judge Alexander Menary said that Tindall had been drinking heavily when he “took a shine” to a woman in a bar. “You were making unwanted sexual advances towards her,” said Judge Menary.
Tindall stroked, squeezed and smacked the woman’s bottom, put his arms around her, kissed her on the forehead, repeatedly tried to kiss her on her lips and forehead while hugging her and invited her to go to the toilet with him. She froze and did not know what to do but she later burst into tears.
“I hope that, in the future, she will be able to move on from this unpleasant incident and that it will not be a blot on her life going forward,” said Judge Menary. “This was a prolonged incident taking place over some half an hour.”
Tindall was a low risk of reoffending. He was regarded as reliable and generous and he had made a long-standing voluntary contribution to local football but “all of that was thrown away” when he committed the offence late at night while under the influence of alcohol.
Tindall was given a 16-month suspended prison sentence, with a probation requirement. He was ordered to pay £2,000 compensation, £150 costs and a £187 victims’ surcharge. He was given a 10-year restraining order and he must register as a sex offender for 10 years.
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.