91Èȱ¬

A man who apologised to a 17-year-old girl after molesting her has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Darren Fuller, 23, sexually assaulted the girl in June 2023, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Fuller, a father-of-one from Newcastle, admitted three offences and was jailed for 13 months suspended for two years.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said she had been having panic attacks since the assault and it would impact all her future relationships.

Judge Nathan Adams said after the attack, Fuller, of Dene Avenue in Leamside, messaged his victim to say he was sorry.

The judge said there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and that Fuller, of previous good character, had shown genuine remorse.

A sexual harm prevention order was made for 10 years and the defendant was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for the same period.

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