A 46-year-old businessman from Crewe has avoided jail - despite sexually assaulting a 17-year-old teenage girl on an easyJet flight.

Mr Andrew Reay, of Lawton Street, was travelling from Lanzarote to Manchester Airport on September 2, 2020 - when he sexually assaulted the 17-year-old.

The 46-year-old businessman was 'high on drugs' when boarding the plane.

During the flight, Mr Reay touched the teenager's leg - telling the girl he wanted to 'f*** her.'

The businessman attended Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, on Tuesday (October 25).

Judge Maurice Green spared the Crewe man from prison - allowing him to return to the Canary Islands.

The judge made this decision believing Reay's employees would be 'affected' if he was jailed.

Minshull Street Crown Court heard the Crewe man was boasting about taking drugs before the Easyjet flight.

Andrew Reay attended Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, on Tuesday - October 25 (Wikimedia Commons).

Mr Reay purchased alcohol from the cabin crew, encouraging the teenager to drink a drink - which she eventually gave in to.

Prosecuting, Virginia Hayton, told the court the Crewe man opened his legs wide enough to touch the teenager's - making her feel 'horrible.'

He then placed his left hand on her thigh and 'ran it up and down over her trousers' - making the girl feel 'disgusting.'

Mr Reay then told the teenager he wanted to 'f*** her.

The girl then pushed his hand away and called cabin crew - believing he could 'get violent at any time.'

Andrew Reay was 'high on drugs' when boarding the plane (Wikimedia Commons).

Due to the Crewe man's behaviour, the flight's captain considered diverting the flight to Birmingham Airport.

Mr Reay eventually fell asleep in his seat. He was arrested at Manchester Airport on arrival.

The Crewe man now lives in the Canary Islands - running his business from there.

Following a trial, Mr Reay was convicted of section 3 sexual assault on a female.

Andrew Reay was arrested at Manchester Airport on arrival (Wikimedia Commons).

He was handed a four-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

The Crewe man was also ordered to pay costs of £400 and signed the sex offenders register.

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