Festive entertainer, 71, who preyed on women while dressed as Santa Claus avoids jail

A man dressed as 'Santa Claus' who sexually assaulted two women while working as a festive entertainer has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Raymond Finn, 71, preyed on his adult victims while he was dressed as Father Christmas in December 2018, Northumbria Police said.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Finn had “smacked the bum” of one victim and pushed his groin into her, then tried to pull his body against a second.

The two women complained and Finn, of Brentwood Avenue, Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, was immediately dismissed from the job.

He was also reported to police who launched an investigation, charging the 71-year-old with three counts of sexual assault.

He was found guilty of all three counts by a jury in May but has avoided jail, instead receiving a four-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.

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Detective Constable Frank Cox, who led the investigation, said: "Finn is a predator who thought it was acceptable to sexually touch women without their consent.

"It is simply not acceptable and we will take action to put such offenders before the courts."

He added: "At no point has Finn shown any remorse for what he has done.

"But with thanks to the victims for speaking out, he has been convicted of his actions."

Finn was also handed a sexual harm prevention order and will have to sign the sex offenders register for a period of seven years.

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