The 20-year-old victim was pounced on by teenager Yaqoob Alanezy, who put his arms around her, kissed her and then dragged her 30 yards down a street.
Mr Justice Gilbart caused outrage in sentencing Alanezy, saying there was no excuse for the attack but people had to take responsibility for their safety when on nights out, the Manchester Evening News reports.
The High Court judge said the victim only had a 'befuddled recollection of events' adding: "I’m sure it was a frightening incident. She got very, very drunk. It doesn’t excuse what happened, but people have to make sure they protect themselves and guard against this - she made herself very vulnerable.
"The law seeks to protect victims such as this from their own foolishness."
He added: "(The complainant) had got herself drunk, was in a public place, unable to protect herself and the law must be seen to protect vulnerable people from being picked on by those who spot their vulnerability and choose to attack them."
Mr Justice Gilbart's comments were unnecessary and disturbing, according to Fay Maxted, chief executive of The Survivors Trust, which supports victims of sexual abuse.
She said: “This is something that has been going on for decades, this victim blaming as opposed to looking at the behaviour of the perpetrator.
"Research has shown time and time again that attitudes towards victims from judges and barristers can be really punishing.
Comments like the ones made in court can deter victims from coming forward, Ms Maxted added.
She said: “So much effort is put into encouraging people to report these crimes and so for one to get to court and to see the judge victim blaming is just disturbing.
"If you report a burglary people don’t criticise you for leaving the curtains open. It should not be happening.
"The person who is at fault is the one who has taken advantage of someone vulnerable.”
- Mirror
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