Turkish man leaving U.S. gets probation for sexual assault

By ADAM BENSON,

BRISTOL – A Turkish national who allegedly fondled a developmentally disabled woman last month was given two weeks of probation Wednesday because he’s set to leave the country permanently Sept. 15.Umit Celik’s circumstance put Judge Joseph W. Doherty in an admittedly awkward position, but he was firm with the 27-year-old man after handing down the sentence.

Celik was charged with fourth-degree sexual assault.
“If there is a violation of these conditions, you’ll be here and stand trial, even if it takes 18 months to start your trial,” Doherty said.

Prosecutors said Celik, who was in the U.S. on a four-month work visa working as an ice cream truck driver, reportedly approached a woman walking in her Bristol neighborhood on July 9.

Celik offered her free ice cream and began complimenting her appearance before asking the 28-year-old woman if she’d help teach him English.

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Christian Watson said Celik “talked” the woman into his truck, where he offered her his name and phone number.

He then parked the vehicle at a dead end and began caressing the woman’s thighs and “massaging” her breasts, Watson said.

Celik later told police he put his hand on the woman’s leg and held her hand, but he didn’t realize the contact was inappropriate.

He said through a translator his behavior was “customary” in Turkey.

Matt Dyer, Celik’s public defender, said the man had no plans to return to the United States when his visa was up and has been cooperative.

Watson said given the nature of the charges, putting Celik through an accelerated rehabiliation program wasn’t the right course of action.

“I don’t think that from the state’s perspective, this is appropriate for acclerated rehabilitation,” he said.
But Doherty said placing the man on a prolonged period of probation while he was living abroad was “ineffectual.”
However, Doherty said, Celik can’t take any job that puts him into direct contact with women or children for as long as he remains in the country.

Source : ©The Bristol Press 2008