Woman who 'molested 13-year-old girl in Starbucks' taunts victims' families after string of sex attacks in Kent

A 21-year-woman who admitted to sexually assaulting teenage girls was threatened with contempt charges after she goaded her victims’ families in court.

Emily Sweetland pleaded guilty to 11 sex assault charges after carrying out a series of attacks in the space of just four days across Kent.

The former Greggs worker would target her victims in public places, approaching one of her victims, a 13-year-old girl, in a Starbucks coffee shop in Canterbury before putting her hand up her skirt.

Appearing at Canterbury Crown Court for sentencing, Sweetland taunted the families of the eight girls and three women she molested, shouting at one of the mother of one victim: “You wait until I’m out. Just wait until I’m out.”

Judge Mark Weekes warned the 21-year-old he could charge her with contempt of court before ordering her down to the cells during the disrupted hearing.

The judge then apologised for having to delay the sentencing verdict until Thursday because police had failed to obtain impact statements from victims.

Addressing them and their families, he said: “I think the police officer in the case owes you an apology. I would like to offer you a huge apology from the court for wasting your time and your emotions.”

Earlier the court heard how Sweetland carried out her first sexual assault in Thanet on 3 April when she touched two teenage girls sexually without their consent.

Two days later, in Canterbury, she attacked five girls aged between 12 and 15, and a woman.

She was arrested on the evening of Saturday, 6 April, following sexual assaults in Ramsgate on three more victims – two women and a 13-year-old girl.

One 13-year-old victim said: “She came and sat down near our table and pulled up a chair. We thought she was a man, and we felt uncomfortable so got up to leave.

“As I stood up she put her hand up my skirt. I just screamed and we ran off.”

The girl walked towards the city’s bus station, but was followed by Sweetland, the court heard.

Before she was ordered out of the court, Sweetland was seen smiling as she heard one of her victims now wets the bed and others are receiving therapy.

She has been remanded in custody at HMP Bronzefield. The sentencing hearing was adjourned until Thursday, 20 June.

Additional reporting by SWNS