Thomas Cina sexually assaulted a teenager but was caught out after giving her details of his Instagram account
Thomas Cina sexually assaulted a teenager but was caught out after giving her details of his Instagram account
A pervert asked a teenager for a hug at the Bombed Out Church but had an “ulterior motive” and seized on the opportunity to sexual assault her. Thomas Cina was one of two men who subjected the stranger to a predatory attack on the steps of St Luke’s Church, grabbing her by the breast before groping her bottom and sticking his hand up her dress while hugging her as she attempted to make her escape.
The “reprehensible” incident came on the night he allegedly drank alcohol for the very first time. While he was later traced after giving his victim the details of his Instagram account, he was ultimately spared an immediate prison sentence.
Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday, Wednesday, that the teenage complainant had been with friends in Liverpool city centre in March last year, with the group having found themselves sitting on the church steps at around 10pm. But they were then approached by Cina and two other unidentified men.
Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting, described how the 20-year-old defendant, of the Coppice in Anfield, and another of the males sat either side of the woman while “very close to her”, leaving her “feeling uncomfortable straight away”. But she “went along with the conversation, trying to be polite in the hope they would get the message she wasn’t interested”.
However, Mr Hopkins said this “didn’t work”, with Cina then asking her to dance before grabbing hold of and squeezing her thigh. The second man was also said to have touched her in the same area and remarked “how soft her thigh was”, leaving her “feeling disgusted”.
Cina then put his arms around her and groped her left breast over her dress, “squeezing hard” and leaving her in pain before remarking “you’ve got nice t**s”. The teen’s friend then “came over and asked if she was ok”, while the third man “asked her if the other males were making her uncomfortable”.
But Cina went on to “ask if she would consider going back to his, offering her balloons and a sniff or a smoke”. Mr Hopkins continued: “She declined that invitation. The third male again told the defendant and the other male to stop. [The victim] was then able to stand up and tell them that she was going back to a nearby bar. The defendant asked her for a hug a couple of times and she declined, but eventually agreed in the hope that she would be allowed to leave.
“It was while he hugged her that he put both hands onto her bottom and squeezed her bottom hard, then put his hand up her dress. It was at that point the second male also grabbed her bottom. She was able to run away.”
However, Cina was subsequently identified by police as the victim had earlier asked him for details of his Instagram account, leading to his arrest in the city centre on May 16 2025. Having been taken into custody at St Anne Street Police Station, he was able to slip out of his handcuffs and run away from officers but was detained on nearby Islington following a short foot chase.
In a statement read to the court on her behalf, the complainant said: “I can never wear that dress again as it provokes memories of that night. My birthday was only days after. I stayed in bed all day and didn’t see any of my family on my birthday. I stayed indoors for four to five months.”
Cina has no previous convictions. Joanne Maxwell, defending, told the court: “This must have been a terrifying event that she has gone through. He has explained to me how he is thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour. The pre-sentence report makes reference to the fact that he is remorseful, but says there is further work to be done.
“Mr Cina has reflected on his behaviour at great length and appears before this court thoroughly ashamed. He does wish to apologise for his behaviour. He recognises the position that he is in today and his behaviour and actions on that occasion in March last year. He should never have behaved in that way.
“This is a young man who has never troubled the courts before, something that was completely out of character for him. This was the first time that Mr Cina had drunk alcohol and drunk alcohol to the extent that he did.”
At this, Recorder Mark Cooper said: “I find it remarkable that someone who has never drunk alcohol before has so much on his first occasion. It is bizarre.”
Ms Maxwell continued: “The report goes to great lengths as to his social inactivity. He was trying to make friends and socialise with people of his own age. He was with at least two others. He did not have the level of maturity to know when to stop, clearly. He had not been in that position before. He, by the time 10 o’clock at night, or thereabouts, came about, had only a hazy recollection of being at the Bombed Out Church and seeing the complainant.
“He can offer no explanation, either for his behaviour or the words used. Certainly, in relation to the offer of drugs, trying to cajole her to go back to the address, he says he does not do those things. He has absolutely no idea why he would say those things.
“It would me remiss of me not to mention that Mr Cina’s father has attended court. He lives with his parents, who are supportive of him. His father has confirmed to me that Mr Cina has never drunk alcohol before, and this was wholly out of character.
“My instructions are that he has not drunk since and has no intention of doing so, and he does not take drugs. He has been able, previously, to secure employment. He lost that through a period of illness, but tells me that he has an interview next week with a cleaning company. His father works in the same industry. He has expressed to me that there is secure employment that can be offered to him.
“This was something wholly out of character for Mr Cina. Importantly, there has been no offending since. He does have the support of his parents and the stability of a settled address. His behaviour and attitude towards women need to be focused upon. He needs to prove that he has desisted from his intake of alcohol, and his consequential forethought needs to be explored in more detail.”
Cina admitted sexual assault and obstructing a police officer. Appearing in the dock wearing a black Alpyrex coat over a black Montirex tracksuit, he was handed a 16-month imprisonment suspended for two years.
Sentencing, Recorder Cooper said: “You, along with two other unidentified men, approached her. You made her feel uncomfortable. But, nonetheless, she engaged in conversation with you in the hope that you would get the message and go away. You were unable to read the signs and persisted.
“In the course of your conduct, you grabbed her left thigh hard. You grabbed her left breast over her dress. You squeezed it hard, causing her pain. That was wholly unwarranted. She was understandably disgusted and terrified by your behaviour.
“Unbelievably, you then invited her back to your house and offered her drugs. She indicated that she was going to leave. You still were unable to read the signs and persisted in asking her for a hug. There was an ulterior motive, because you took the opportunity, in a predatory way, to squeeze her bottom, put your hand up her dress.
“There is no possible explanation for your behaviour. The only explanation put forward on your behalf is that you had consumed so much alcohol that you had no idea what you were doing. That is no excuse. Your behaviour that night was reprehensible. Any right thinking person would be absolutely disgusted by what you did. Such behaviour will not be tolerated in this country and in this court.
“She has described in simple yet eloquent terms that she thought she was not at risk that night. She was simply looking forward to spending time with her friends. Yet she was left with bruising on her body. Psychologically, she has found it difficult to function. She became angry and paranoid. This is entirely understandable, because of what you did to her.
“I accept that your actions were not premeditated, but the reality of the situation is that you were acting with another male. The fact is that you were acting together with that person, whether intentionally or not.
“The offence is aggravated significantly by the consumption of alcohol. I also bear in mind the fact that you have no previous convictions. In relation to the mitigation advanced on your behalf, Ms Maxwell describes you as being thoroughly ashamed of your behaviour and says that you acted out of character, and I accept that you did. She refers to your immaturity and young age, which I agree are appropriate observations.
“I am pleased to hear that you have stable accommodation. I also note that you have not drunk alcohol since this incident. You would be well advised to keep off it, if that is the way you behave.
“This is a very finely balanced judgement. In my judgement, long term change to your attitude to women is more likely to be accomplished with support in the community. I am satisfied, but only just, that there is a prospect of rehabilitation in this case. Balancing all of the factors, I have concluded that it is appropriate to suspend the sentence in this case.
“This is not going to be an easy sentence, for the avoidance of doubt. If, in the next two years, you commit any offence, you will be brought back to court, and it is likely that this sentence will be brought into operation. This is an onerous sentence, and you must comply with it. Do not come back to this court again.”
Cina responded by shaking his head. He was also told to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 15 days, a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement and a building choice programme.
Recorder Cooper further ordered him to pay £500 in compensation, court costs of £150 and a victim surcharge. He will be required to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and was subjected to a five-year restraining order.
Ensure our latest news and what’s on headlines always appear at the top of your Google search by making us a preferred source. Click here to activate or add us as a preferred source in your Google search settings.
