'Cowardly' pervert, 48, who sexually abused a drunk teenage girl while she was passed out in a hotel room before blaming 'sexsomnia' for his sickening attack is jailed for more than seven years

A pervert, who sexually assaulted a teenage girl and blamed 'sexsomnia' for his disturbing attack has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years behind bars.

Andrew Peel, 48, attacked his victim whilst she was passed out in the Albert Dock, Liverpool branch of Premier Inn.

The 'cowardly' sex offender then put forward a 'pathetic excuse for his abhorrent behaviour', claiming he had been sleepwalking during the assault.

Following an afternoon and night of boozing in Liverpool city centre, Peel sexually abused the teenage complainant in her room after she 'crashed out' drunk.

The victim was saying in the same hotel room as Peel the night of the incident. 

During his six-day trial, Peel, of Pochard Close in Bradford alleged he was suffering from a condition referred to as 'sexsomnia'. 

The condition is a type of sleep disorder where an individual engages in sexual behaviour whilst asleep.

However, the pervert's defence was refuted by a jury, who determined he was guilty of two counts of sexual assault. 

The victim's statement which was read on her behalf to Liverpool Crown Court stated: '[Peele] concocted a cowardly and pathetic excuse for his abhorrent behaviour. 

'He has continued to live life as normal while I've struggled to focus on my studies.

'My confidence has been shattered by him and his actions. I've not been able to regain the confidence I've lost.

'I'm always anxious and wondering if I'm going to be someone's prey again. I feel worthless and I mistrust so many people.

She added: 'He has taken so much from me and he does not deserve to have the things he has taken. 

'I'll never be free of what he has done to me and the impact he has had on my life.'

Peel, who is a father-of-two has no prior convictions.  

Tania Griffiths, defending, told the court his actions were 'completely out of character', dubbing Peel a 'family man'.

She added: 'He has had an active role in the upbringing of his two daughters and he has been a hands on father.

'The defendant has never contested the events that happened. He has not had a stress free period. He has suffered tremendous anxiety and stress. He has lost so much.

'He has lost his accommodation. He may well lose his business. If he does not lose his business, he will certainly suffer to a great degree. He has lost everything.

'He has got a sleep apnoea condition. The jury found that it was not relevant in this case, but he does have that serious condition and it remains to be seen how the prison estate will cope with that particular issue.'

Peel, who was donning a black North Face top in the dock, was handed a seven-and-a-half year prison sentence by Judge Denis Watson KC on Monday.

He will also be required to sign the sex offenders' register for the rest of his life, and an indefinite restraining order has also been placed against him. 

After the sex offender was sentenced to over seven years in prison Merseyside Police's Detective Constable Claire McDonald said the following: 

'Peel carried out an appalling and depraved sexual assault on a teenage girl and he will now face a significant time behind bars. 

'He also prolonged the suffering of his victim by denying the offence and forcing her to relive her ordeal in a trial.

'I would like to commend her for showing such strength and resolve throughout what was an extremely traumatic time, and we hope that today's sentence brings her some sense of justice as she continues to recover. 

'Anyone that has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity should come forward and speak to us.

She continued: 'Please be assured that we have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice. 

'We take all such reports extremely seriously and work with partner organisations, such as Victim Care support service and Rape and Sexual Abuse Support, who are there to support victims every step of the way.'