Metin Mentesh, 61, sexually assaulted two women inside a Newcastle city centre takeaway in the early hours of the morning. The incident occurred at a Bigg Market takeaway, where Mentesh was found pressing himself against the women without ordering any food.
Details of the Assaults
According to prosecutor David Poval, the takeaway was crowded with young people dressed for a night out. Two women were waiting for their food when one became aware of someone standing uncomfortably close behind her. Mentesh was pressing his groin area against one woman before moving to another and repeating the act. The women immediately reported the incident to police, and Mentesh was identified on CCTV. He returned to the same takeaway 15 minutes later, again without ordering food, despite living a 30-minute drive away.
Previous Convictions
The court heard that Mentesh had three previous convictions for five offences, including groping a young woman in a pub in 2018. In 2014, he was convicted of a public order offence after being found naked in a car at a McDonald's car park. He also had a sexual offence conviction from 2007.
Defense and Sentencing
Penny Hall, defending, stated that Mentesh has autism and poor physical health, and serves as a full-time carer for his mother. She argued the assaults were relatively short-lived and did not involve underclothing touching. Recorder Nathan Moxon, however, said Mentesh intended to prey on women. He sentenced Mentesh to 27 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 35 rehabilitation days. Mentesh also received a six-month curfew between 11 pm and 7 am, is prohibited from entering Newcastle city centre between 11 pm and 6 am, and was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. He will remain on the sex offender register.
