THE former owner of an Italian restaurant escaped an immediate prison sentence, despite admitting sexually assaulting two teenage women.

Darren John McGlen was said to be racked with shame and remorse over the incidents committed between ten and 12 years ago, but which a court was told have not been repeated since.

The one-time manager and owner of Pepe’s Ristorante in Beamish Village, near Stanley, was said to have taken advantage of the “naïve” young women, who felt “uncomfortable” at his actions but were too frightened to say anything at the time.

Durham Crown Court heard a complaint was finally made in 2015 about his offending, which began with comments of a sexual nature and “overly amorous advances” and culminated in groping and indecent touching.

At his initial crown court appearance last August, the 51-year-old, of Haydon, in Washington, denied six counts of sexual assault and one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

But when the case was about to go to trial, he changed his pleas at a hearing in March and admitted all seven offences.

Rachael Landin, prosecuting, said the first suggestion that he may be prepared to make admissions was made to the prosecution in February.

Reading from the women’s victim statements, Miss Landin said one has been particularly badly affected by what took place in her late teens and recently sought counselling, due to stress and anxiety.

She said the woman described feeling “scared and vulnerable” at the time and considers McGlen “a sexual predator”.

The other victim said for some years afterwards she found it hard to trust some men and considers McGlen to have been “sleazy”, agreeing with her co-complainant that he behaved like a “predator”.

Jamie Adams, mitigating, handed eight character references to the court on behalf of the defendant.

Mr Adams said none of those who gave the testimonials support what he did.

“It’s quite the opposite. It’s almost an antithesis of the immorality and shamefulness of what he did.”

Mr Adams said McGlen found it difficult to admit his guilt when the complaints were first put to him, due to the shame.

He said the publicity surrounding the case cost him his business, and he also faces losing his home.

Mr Adams said it has been hard for the defendant’s family, who feel a sense of “dismay and chagrin”, as they otherwise know him to be someone with no convictions and doing “positive” things to help people.

Urging Recorder Euan Duff to pass a suspended sentence, Mr Adams added that the Probation Service consider it “highly unlikely” that McGlen will repeat his offending.

Recorder Duff told McGlen he behaved, “disgracefully and in a shameful way”, but he added that given his otherwise good character and the fact the offences are now more than a decade old, he was able to pass a suspended sentence.

He imposed an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years, during which McGlen will be subject of probation supervision.

McGlen will also be subject to registration as a sex offender for ten years.