Chef to sign sex offenders' list after pulling down man's trousers in pub for 'banter'

A chef who pulled down a man's trousers in a pub for "banter" will be forced to sign the sex offenders' register for five years.

Paul Peggs, of Newby Street, Ripon, appeared at York crown court yesterday (20 September) over an incident which occurred at the Navigation Pub in Ripon on 8 January.

The court heard how Peggs, 41, approached the 19-year-old male when he was in the smoking area of the pub with a female friend at a round 1.30am.

Peggs commented on the colour of the man's hair and asked what his natural hair colour was. Peggs then lifted up the man's shirt and pulled his jeans down to reveal his pubic hair.

The court heard how the 19-year-old was left "angry and upset" over the incident and sat down to prevent further embarrassment. The owners of the pub also later described seeing him crying.

Peggs admitted to pulling the man's trousers down, but denied touching him inappropriately while doing so, describing the incident as "banter, nothing sexual", reported the York Press.

As well as signing the sex-offenders' register for five years, Peggs was handed a 12-month community order with 200 hours unpaid work. He must also pay £750 compensation, and £250 costs.