A MAN dragged a 17-year-old girl through the streets of central York and punched a passing 16-year-old Good Samaritan who tried to help her, York magistrates heard.

Robert Derek McGowan was jailed for six months after magistrates heard how he had been following the girl along Museum Street in the early hours of March 20 before the incident, which lasted up to 45 minutes.

Sandra Potter, prosecuting, said the 16-year-old boy heard McGowan make a sexual comment to the girl and pull her by her hair and arm from Lendal Bridge to York Railway Station, despite her screaming and repeatedly telling him to leave her alone.

At the station, McGowan was abusive to taxi drivers and security staff, she said. The girl, who had been drinking, was eventually put into a taxi and driven home.

Andrew Craven, for McGowan, said his client admitted assaulting the girl and the boy, but denied any sexual comment or intent or abusing people at the station.

The solicitor pointed out McGowan had not been charged with bad conduct at the station or with a sexual offence.

McGowan, 40, of Cornlands Road, Acomb, pleaded guilty part-way through his trial on August 16 to two assaults. He also admitted failing to attend his sentencing hearing on September 22. Magistrates said the girl was vulnerable and young and McGowan’s actions had been “sustained aggression” towards her.

Miss Potter said the girl had spent the evening drinking with friends and at 1am left the Gallery nightclub by herself.

She fell over when McGowan put his arm around her shoulder. He then offered to help her up, but she refused and got up by herself. McGowan then grabbed her arm and dragged her to the station.

The girl suffered grazing and bruising and the boy had a red mark on his face.

Mr Craven said of McGowan: “Had he not been drinking, I do not think he would ever have indulged in this sort of behaviour.”

He said McGowan was a heavy drinker.