A man who cornered and grabbed a teenage girl by the shoulders before kneeing her in the face has been jailed.

Matthew Larrington, 29, was walking along Churchfield Road in Walton, Peterborough, at about 6pm on September 25 2021, when he noticed the 14-year-old girl, who was walking on the other side of the road with friends, stop and look at herself in a car window.

Larrington began shouting and falsely accusing her of keying the car.

The victim continued to walk with her friends towards the park in Mounsteven Avenue, while Larrington shouted abuse.

At the park, Larrington chased her and made threats before cornering her and grabbing her by the shoulders before kneeing her in the face.  

Peterborough Matters: Matthew Larrington has been jailed for cornering and grabbing a 14-year-old girl before kneeing her in the face.  Matthew Larrington has been jailed for cornering and grabbing a 14-year-old girl before kneeing her in the face.   (Image: Cambridgeshire Constabulary)

Eventually his girlfriend intervened and they both ran away.

The victim suffered minor injuries and did not attend hospital.

Larrington refused to attend any interviews and was arrested after being identified by investigating officers. 

On October 31, at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court sitting as a crown court, Larrington, of Ainsdale Avenue, Werrington, Peterborough, was jailed for 23 months having pleaded guilty to affray and also activating a suspended sentence for domestic violence offences.

Charges of attempted robbery, assault and committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence were ordered to lie on file.

PC Kyle Saunders said: “Larrington’s behaviour towards the victim was absolutely shocking and left her feeling incredibly scared so I am glad he has faced justice.”