Brighton man whose breasts were groped in bar slams Sussex Police

Johnny Carder-Bull says he was ordering a drink at the bar at Molly Malones in West Street in Brighton, on May 27, when another man groped his breasts.

Johnny, who suffers from bilateral gigantomastia which means he developed large breasts, said that he contacted the bar to sort the issue without involving police only to find CCTV of the incident had been wiped.

He later contacted Sussex Police to report the crime - and says he was told there were no lines of enquiry as CCTV had been wiped.

Now Johnny, 61, is calling on the force to continue their investigation and speak to witnesses. He says his case would be taken more seriously if he were a woman.

Waiving his legal right to anonymity, the retired property investor, who lives in Brighton, said: “While I was at the bar a chap was rather drunk. He reached out and put his hands on my breasts.

"I’ve had gynecomastia for over 30 years. I’m used to being approached by people who are interested – it’s good-natured curiosity usually.

Johnny, 61, began developing gigantomastia in his late 30s (Image: Johnny Carder-Bull)

“Almost every time I get out someone will do something or say something.

"I don’t often get abuse but if I made a fuss about this every time it happened then I would never be out of the system, I would always be speaking to a police officer.

“I was trying to resolve it and save the force time - but it is a criminal matter.

"It's outrageous. I could not believe that they [Sussex Police] were treating it in this way.

"They don't want to investigate it because I am a male. Their explanation is extraordinary."

Johnny says he first began to develop gigantomastia in his late 30s in 2001. He added that he was initially “in denial” about the condition but was prompted to seek a diagnosis by his late partner.

He said that he had now come to terms with the condition, adding: “They are there and I’m used to them.”

The condition, which happens due to hormonal imbalances, can be caused by several things including steroid treatments, which Johnny said he began taking for his asthma as a child, and HIV medication.

He added that his condition draws the attention of people “every time I step out of the house”, with many people asking him to pose for photos with them.

Johnny said that he tried to contact the bar, asking for CCTV footage of the incident, but that this was deleted after 30 days.

Molly Malones in West Stree

He also contacted the security company, Pagoda, which he claims had no record of the inciden.

After then contacting Sussex Police to press the claim further, Johnny says he was told that as there was no CCTV they had no line of enquiry and they would not investigate.

Johnny says his friend witnessed the incident.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “On July 17, police received a report of a man being sexually assaulted in a bar on West Street, Brighton.

“The incident is believed to have taken place on May 27 at around 11.20pm.

“Contact was made with the victim and the venue to identify possible lines of enquiry, however due to the length of time that had passed since the incident, no relevant CCTV footage was available to view.

“The victim has been signposted to local support charities. Anyone who may have information about what happened is asked to contact police online or call 101 quoting serial 793 of 17/07.

“Sussex Police takes all reports of sexual offending extremely seriously and will do everything it can to hold perpetrators to account.”

Indigo Pub Company, which runs Molly Malones, and Pagoda were approached for comment.