AN Ellesmere Port man who sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl has been jailed for 30 months.

Lee Bellagamba, 34, of Dover Court, only admitted the two sexual assaults on his victim after he was convicted following a trial at Chester Crown Court.

At his sentencing hearing on Monday, January 6, Chester Crown Court heard how the sex attacks on his victim – who cannot be named – had psychologically harmed her deeply.

Prosecuting, Myles Wilson said one of the attacks took place when the victim was 15 and the other after she had turned 16.

The court heard Bellagamba had, in the first offence, touched the victim's cleavage sexually. He was drunk at the time and the victim chose not to report the incident.

However, the second offence – which followed a 20-minute conversation which became increasingly uncomfortable for the victim – left the teenager feeling much more traumatised, after Bellagamba touched her breast and tried to forcibly kiss her.

The victim ran away and was later found crying at a bus stop.

Mr Wilson said the victim had given an impact statement where, since the attacks, she was taking medication for anxiety and depression, was missing education classes – which upset her – and did not socialise much and had trust issues regarding men.

She had arguments with her partner because she was feeling stressed.

A subsequent victim impact statement, given following the trial, told how the victim's mental health had worsened and that, on the day she had given evidence in court, she went straight home to her bed afterwards and stayed there for a week.

However, she added she wanted to stop Bellagamba from potentially doing the same to other girls.

She concluded: "I hope other people can do the same [report attacks to police] to get these horrible predators off the streets."

The court heard while Bellagamba had no previous convictions, he had a caution on his record for a sex assault, albeit one of a different nature from several years ago.

Defending, Brian Treadwell said Bellagamba had "belatedly" accepted what the victim had said about the attacks was true.

A probation report said Bellagamba had a "very sincere expression of remorse", was a "willing participant in rehabilitation" and would be willing to carry out community work should the prison sentence be suspended or when he was out on licence.

His Honour Judge Nicholas Woodward, sentencing, told Bellagamba: "You fully knew she was a young girl...what I need to do is look at the cumulative impact of these offences.

"The impact on this young girl has been very serious indeed. I cannot understate the damage you have done.

"You carried on persisting in lies and the court has to recognise that.

"My view is that you put your own interests first. You hope that you will encourage the court to impose a sentence that would allow you to remain in the community.

"In my judgment this is one that complies for an immediate custodial sentence."

Bellagamba was jailed for 30 months and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and an indefinite restraining order preventing contact with the victim.