Man who 'mistook his teenage victim's breast for a pillow' deserves every day of his severe jail term, judge finds

David Gamble (52) from Moulton, was caged for three-and-a-half years at Lincoln Crown Court on September 21 last year after he was convicted of illegal sexual activity with the girl.

Gamble, of Church Lane, was in his 40s when he molested the teenage girl’s breasts, Judge Eleri Rees told London’s Appeal Court.

He claimed that it was all a mistake in which he ‘dribbled into what he thought was a pillow’ but ‘in fact was a breast’.

He was disbelieved by the jury but Gamble’s lawyers today (Thursday) argued his jail term was far too tough.

They pointed to his previous good character and said that no sexual grooming was involved.

Gamble’s crime was ‘short-lived’ – all over in five seconds – and had been a ‘moment of madness’, they argued.

But, dismissing the appeal, Judge Rees said: “The sentence, although severe, was within the permissible range.”