Michael Petrou

Michael Petrou, then a teenager, committed two counts of assault on a girl under 13 by touching in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, between July and October 2015. The assaults occurred on three separate occasions, during which Petrou exposed himself to the victim.

The victim disclosed the incidents to her parents five years later, prompting an investigation by Hertfordshire Police. The case proceeded to St Albans Crown Court, where Petrou, now 24 and residing in London, appeared for sentencing on Friday, 1 July 2022.

During the hearing, Judge Philip Grey was informed of the profound impact on the victim. Previously described as 'outgoing and bubbly', she became withdrawn and quiet following the assaults. Her school work suffered, and her trust in men deteriorated significantly.

Defence counsel Lawrence Henderson argued that the offences took place when Petrou was young and under the influence of drugs including MDMA and LSD. Judge Grey acknowledged Petrou's youth at the time, stating: 'I must sentence you on the basis that you were a young person when you did this.'

Petrou was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work, a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement to address his offending behaviour with probation staff, and 34 sessions of a sex offender course. The judge remarked: 'You have avoided custody by the very skin of your teeth.'