ATTACKER 'TRIED TO LAUGH SEX ASSAULT OFF' AFTER GRABBING WOMAN'S BOTTOM UNTIL SHE SCREAMED
A man with a history of drug addiction and previous convictions for disruptive behavior has been sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting a woman.Andrew Cox-Young, age 38, was accused of inappropriately touching the woman's chest and hair, according to court reports from Teesside Crown Court.
Prosecutor Paul Newcombe stated that the victim repeatedly asked Cox-Young to stop, totaling five requests, which he reportedly ignored, continuing his misconduct.
The woman later described the incident to police, saying, "I turned away.
He came behind me and grabbed my bottom with some force.
"He made a noise as if he was aroused by it.
I screamed and froze." Cox-Young appeared in court on Monday for sentencing.
Mr Newcombe noted that Cox-Young released his victim only after she screamed.
The defendant attempted to dismiss the act as a joke, the court heard.
Cox-Young, residing at Valiant Way in Thornaby, pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual assault during an earlier hearing.
The court was informed of Cox-Young's ongoing struggles with drug addiction and his recent incarceration for breaching a criminal behavior order.
His past convictions include obstructing paramedics in 2020 and breaking into the Mint nightclub in 2021 after his disability benefit payments were stopped.
Additionally, he attempted to break into a house in Linthorpe months prior, claiming it was to use the toilet.
Judge Andrew Sutcliffe sentenced Cox-Young to ten weeks in prison.
The judge remarked that the defendant had dismissed the incident, trying to trivialize it.
The sentence will be served concurrently with his current incarceration, which is set to end in early December.
Upon release, Cox-Young will be required to attend drug support sessions and submit to mandatory drug testing.
A five-year restraining order was also imposed, banning him from contacting the victim, and he must register as a sex offender for seven years.
Last year, Cox-Young received a two-year criminal behavior order following reports of his abusive conduct while begging on Middlesbrough streets.
This order prohibits him from entering the town center without an appointment and from begging.
It also forbids him from being abusive to members of the public, shop staff, or local officials.
Despite this, he violated the order later that year, leading to a 16-week jail term.
He is scheduled for court in December after admitting to another breach for being seen on Linthorpe Road on October 5.
