He tried to cover up his crimes using fake WhatApp messages
A head chef at a Michelin Star restaurant has narrowly avoided going to prison after trying to cover up a sexual assault using a fake WhatsApp generator. Shannon White, 31, attacked a woman at the Chubby Castor in Peterborough Road, Castor, at around on October 18, 2024.
The victim, aged in her 20s, rejected his advances. White ignored her and put his hands around her neck, applied pressure, and whispered sexual comments. White sexually assaulted her, touching the victim several times and resisting her attempts to push him away.
After examining White’s phone, officers found he had used a fake WhatsApp generator to create a message pretending it had been sent by the victim to use as his defence.
At Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 26, White, of Verde Close, Eye, near Peterborough, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, after being found guilty of sexual assault by a judge. He has also been handed a two-year restraining order against the victim.
DC Stacey Caley, who investigated, said: “White shamefully attacked the victim and then used a fake app in an attempt to cover up his tracks.
“Although the sentence was not custodial, I hope it reassures the victim that justice has been done. It also highlights how seriously we take all allegations of violence against women and girls. If you or someone you know has been a victim, we urge you to get in touch.”
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