Paul Muir

A 44-year-old man from Gretna, Paul Muir, has been remanded in custody after admitting to sexually assaulting a woman during a night out at Lloyds Bar in Carlisle city centre.

The incident occurred on the dance floor at the Botchergate bar, where the victim was enjoying a night out. According to prosecutor George Shelley, the woman became aware that somebody behind her had touched her buttocks. Initially thinking it might be a colleague, she turned to see Muir standing there. She continued dancing but later felt uncomfortable about the inappropriate contact once outside the bar. She reported the matter to the door staff, and CCTV footage from the club confirmed that Muir was responsible for the assault, during which he was seen rubbing his private parts over his clothing and then slapping the woman on her bottom from behind.

Muir appeared via prison video link before District Judge Philip Holden at Carlisle's Rickergate court. He admitted the sexual assault charge, along with five other offences: two counts of assaulting emergency workers—specifically, two police officers; two instances of shop theft from Tesco Express in English Street, Carlisle, totalling £158 in stolen goods on 3 January and 6 January; and using racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

The racially aggravated incident took place at a hotel where Muir had been staying. The hotel owner attempted to resolve an unpaid bill for two nights, but Muir became verbally abusive. When police officers intervened to arrest him for breach of the peace, he resisted, swinging his arms and striking a female officer in the face. As he was escorted away, he directed a racial slur at the hotel owner. In a victim statement, the hotelier expressed distress, stating: 'This is not the first time that I’ve been racially abused but it’s not acceptable at any time. What happened was upsetting and affected his sleep.'

Defending solicitor Katie Scattergood described the hotel incident as 'borne out of frustration,' noting that Muir believed he had paid for the stay that evening but accepted his behaviour was unwarranted. District Judge Philip Holden adjourned sentencing until 12 February and remanded Muir in custody.