North Herts man jailed for sexual assault offences

A man from North Herts has been jailed at Luton Crown Court after being convicted of despicable sex offences.

Richard Newman, aged 51, from High Street in Reed, was sentenced to three years and six months after being found guilty of sexual assault and sexual assault by penetration.

The incident occurred following a party back in October 2017. The female victim had fallen asleep on a sofa when Newman assaulted her.

The victim managed to call 999 and Newman was arrested, but denied the allegations against him.

Detective Sergeant Amy Farmer, from the Constabulary's Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT), said: "Newman despicably took advantage of the victim as she slept. She was so traumatised by what had happened, that she was initially unable to speak during her 999 call to police as she could not stop crying.

"I'd like to praise her for the bravery she has shown throughout the trial and I hope she can begin to move forward now that Newman is behind bars."

Becoming a victim of a sexual assault is never your fault. If you've been a victim, no matter how long ago the offence occurred, please report it.

Herts constabulary has specialist officers on hand to provide advice and support throughout an investigation. It also has a number of officers who are specially trained to provide support to members of the LGBT+ community.

You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in their Force Communications Room via their online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call their non-emergency number 101.