A MAN who sexually assaulted two women while he was working at a caravan park in Rhuddlan has been spared jail.

Joseph Bretherton, 59, of Marsh Road, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for the same time period, at Caernarfon Crown Court today (November 28).

On October 26, he was found guilty after trial of two counts of sexual assault on a female.

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Prosecuting, Richard Edwards told the court that a group of female friends were staying at Sun Valley Caravan Park during the weekend of May 6-8, 2022 when they encountered Bretherton.

They had met him at the park’s club on the night of May 7, when his behaviour was described as “a little bit flirty”.

At about 1.45am on May 8, there was a “heavy knock” from Bretherton on the door of the group’s caravan; he then forced his way in saying there had been a noise complaint.

While in the caravan, Bretherton then forcefully grabbed the bottom of one of the women, and touched the breasts of another.

Once the group had returned home, they reported Bretherton to police.

He was interviewed on June 9, 2022, saying he was doing a “walkaround” of the site in the course of his employment, and that there had been “a bit of verbal banter”.

But he said he left the group’s caravan without having committed any inappropriate acts.

The two victims tearfully read out victim impact statements in person during today’s hearing.

One of the women said: “The incident has affected all aspects of my life. I no longer feel safe; I’m scared when I’m home alone.

“This man is a sexual predator. He believed he was at liberty to sexually assault my friend and I.

"I feel both degraded and insulted by his actions, and I’m in total shock at his lack of remorse."

The second added: “Since the incident took place, my friends and I have not been away together as a group of women.

“I feel violated, angry and disgusted that somebody could act this way. I don’t like to be in the house on my own at night; this is not how I felt before this incident.

“Loud knocks on the door make me jump, and bring back memories of that night. I found the court case itself the most stressful situation I have ever been in.”

Defending Bretherton, who has been convicted for three previous offences, Brendan Carville said he has since lost his job at the caravan park, and the accommodation that came with it.

He was said to also now be estranged from his wife, who he had been with for more than three decades.

Mr Carville described Bretherton as having lived a “hard-working, industrious life”, and asked if the court could suspend his custodial sentence.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Saffman agreed to do so, saying: “in my judgment, that would provide better protection in the future.”

She told Bretherton: “Your offending behaviour has had a significant impact on both of these ladies, who lead hard-working, professional lives and are decent, dignified women.

“This sentence is one which is clearly aimed at both punishing you and addressing your sexually demeaning behaviour towards women which, by the age of 59, frankly is something which should have been resolved far sooner in your life.”

Bretherton will complete a 45-session “Horizon” programme, as well as 45 days’ rehabilitation activity requirements, and 200 hours’ unpaid work.

He is to pay £1,000 in costs, and a statutory surcharge of £156, and will adhere to sex offenders register notification requirements for 10 years.

Judge Saffman reserved Bretherton’s case to herself should he breach his suspended sentence and return to court.

SF Parks, which owns Sun Valley Caravan Park, confirmed that it no longer employs Bretherton.

A spokesperson for Sun Valley Caravan Park said: "The company has taken legal advice and the appropriate steps throughout this process.

“We take the safety and wellbeing of our staff, owners and guests seriously."