Man to be sentenced after sex act on Durham tourist

Kurtis Russell Mawson stood behind the tourist while she was taking pictures on Prebends Bridge just before 5pm on June 28 this year.

The woman heard Mawson approach but did not turn around as she assumed he was also taking pictures of the cathedral but shortly after she felt something warm on her leg.

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Believing the substance to be semen, the victim asked for help from others nearby who said they had seen a man in a brown hoodie running away.

The woman made her way to a shop where staff called the police and officers launched an investigation.

Several lines of enquiry were followed, which resulted in a call from a member of the public who reported seeing a man matching the description of the suspect on the same bridge.

As officers made their way to the scene, an off-duty police officer stopped the 21-year-old, who was arrested.

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Despite denying the offence, Mawson was subsequently charged with sexual assault when DNA evidence from the victim’s skirt matched his.

Mawson, of High Street, Willington, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on August 11 where he pleaded guilty to the offence and was remanded into custody.

He is due to be sentenced at Durham Crown Court on September 8.

PC Katie Warren, of Durham CID, said: “This was a traumatic incident for the victim whose visit to our city was understandably marred by Mawson’s despicable actions.

“Our officers worked tirelessly to apprehend Mawson and want to thank all those that gave us information from our appeal to help take such a dangerous offender off the streets.”