A MAN took advantage of a young woman suffering from the effects of both sun-stroke and alcohol by sexually assaulting her.

Kevin Bruce pretended to be going to the teenager’s aid, taking water and toast to her as she tried to sleep off the joint affects of the strong drinks he had given her, and of being in the sun too long.

But, Durham Crown Court heard that in the vulnerable position she found herself in, as she lay feeling nauseous, Bruce made the most of the situation and twice sexually assaulted her.

Following her complaints over his actions police were informed and Bruce claimed he only went to the room to offer the teenager some comfort.

He went on to say he accidentally brushed his hand against her breast, while he claimed further assaults were consensual acts.

The, now 57-year-old defendant, of Castledene Road, Consett, denied three counts of sexual assault and maintained his previous explanation during his trial at the court early last month.

On the fourth day of the hearing the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts and the first two counts and cleared him of the third offence.

Following those verdicts the defendant, of previous good character, who had been on bail throughout proceedings, was remanded in custody.

Probation reports were prepared prior to the sentencing hearing.

Ian West, prosecuting, read the victim’s impact statement, in which she said the events of the day in question, in April last year, have changed her life in a detrimental way.

She said she was a happy person prior to the incident, but she has changed, becoming reclusive, not wanting to go out, and suffering with depression.

The incident has affected her sleeping, as she suffers flashbacks, reliving what Bruce did to her, while she now has trust issues with people and a constant feeling of anxiety that it might happen again.

She added that following the conviction she hopes to get her life back together again but fears she may never be the person she once was.

Lorraine Mustard, for Bruce, presented character references to the court on his behalf.

She described the offences as, “opportunistic” and referred to the probation report , in which he is classed as a “low risk” of reoffending, but a “medium risk” to females.

Miss Mustard said at the time of the offence he had been drinking, affecting his judgement, but he has expressed feelings of remorse over his actions in the report, “not shying away” from what he has done.

Recorder David Gordon said Bruce took advantage of the woman’s vulnerable situation, “ostensibly checking on her welfare”, but he added: “In reality it was to satisfy his own deviant sexual attitude.”

Imposing a four-year prison sentence, he also made Bruce subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, with notification requirements as a sex offender, both for ten years.

He will also be subject to an indefinite restraining order forbidding him trying to contact of approach the victim.

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