A PENSIONER who sexually assaulted a ‘vulnerable’ teenager has been locked up for eight months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Brian Walmsley, 71, left his victim in shock, feeling sick and struggling to speak about it.

The hearing was told the ‘protracted and premeditated’ incident had a ‘catastrophic’ effect on the teenager.

Walmsley, a Rotarian since his retirement and whose wife is a former magistrate, was said to be ‘something of a broken man’.

The defendant, of Helmshore Road, Haslingden, admitted two counts of sexual assault and a further sexual allegation last year. Walmsley, who had no previous convictions, was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

David Macro, prosecuting, told the court the defendant had been drinking when he committed the offences. The victim, who tried to push him away, could hardly speak after the assaults, the court heard.

Robert Elias, for Walmsley, said it was not necessary to send him immediately to prison. He said the defendant had led an unblemished life and the feelings of guilt and lack of self-worth the offending had caused him meant he sometimes did not want to get out of bed.

Mr Elias said: “It’s not overstating it to say he is something of a broken man, in trying to come to terms with what he did.

“He is now depressed. He’s not a paedophile. He’s somebody who made a catastrophic mistake.”

The lawyer said Walmsley’s wife was standing by him and had been a tower of strength.

He added: “He is full of remorse and shame. He is going to have to live with what he did.”

Recorder Andrew Edis, QC, said Walmsley had led a distinguished and valuable life.

The judge said he was sentencing him on the basis that he did not present a significant risk of substantial harm to the public.

Recorder Edis said, although he was concerned about what appeared to be some denial in the defendant’s pre-sentence report, he was prepared to deal with it as an isolated incident, unlikely to be repeated.He added: “It’s clear that the impact of your offending has been catastrophic to the victim.”

“It’s so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is possible. This was a protracted and premeditated incident, although no doubt inspired by drink.”