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A Scottish Royal Navy underwater warfare expert has been kicked out of the military for slapping a 17-year-old female sailor on her bottom during a basketball game.
Leading Seaman Andrew Hallimond had claimed he was paying the teenager a 'compliment' for playing well when he smacked her on the behind.
The 39 year old argued he simply liked banter and taking a 'slightly friendlier approach' with young recruits he was in charge of.
But a court martial heard that over a period of three months Hallimond became obsessed with the junior sailor and on one occasion shocked her by saying 'it's nice to see you have red underwear in your drawer.'
He made inappropriate comments to her 'on a daily basis' and 'could not keep his hands off her', it was alleged.
Scottish Royal Navy underwater warfare expert Leading Seaman Andrew Hallimond has been kicked out of the military for slapping a 17-year-old female sailor on her bottom during a basketball game
Following a trial in March last year Hallimond was found guilty of sexual assault at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, but his sentencing was initially postponed due to the covid pandemic.
Now it has emerged that he has been sentenced to nine months detention and placed on the sexual offenders register while also being dismissed from the military.
Edinburgh-born Hallimond, who was attached to submarine-hunting frigate HMS Richmond, told the court he liked to encourage 'banter' as it could 'break down barriers' with his young charges.
He admitted slapping her bottom while playing a game of basketball but said he just did this sort of thing as a 'compliment' when someone scored a goal or played well.
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