CARDIFF MAN JAILED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING UNCONSCIOUS WOMAN IN HOSTEL
A man engaged in a sexual assault against an unconscious woman at a hostel after locking the door and taking advantage of her in a disturbing incident.The woman had no memory of what occurred, but the event was recorded on CCTV footage from the hostel.
Andrew Price, aged 44, committed the assault on a victim who has lifelong anonymity, inside a communal lounge area of a hostel located in Cardiff.
Just prior to the assault, two witnesses were present and described the woman as being "intoxicated" and "tired." The defendant arrived, sat on a sofa, and was drinking.
Soon after, he moved to the sofa where the victim was seated and pressed against her.
During a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on March 25, prosecutor Tim Evans explained that the victim was "barely moving," and was either asleep or unconscious at that time.
Price then began touching her despite her lack of response.
After the witnesses left the room, Price continued assaulting her by touching her over her clothing and her breasts.
He then unlawfully lowered her trousers and caressed her face.
Mr Evans stated, "It's clear she's completely unresponsive." He further explained that Price then partially pulled down her trousers and persisted with the assault.
CCTV footage later revealed Price getting up, locking the door, attempting to turn off the television, sitting back down, and tapping the victim’s face to check if she was awake.
He continued touching her under her trousers.
During the ordeal, the victim shifted position and quickly turned before slipping back into unconsciousness.
When she regained consciousness later, she tried to exit but found the door was locked.
Price then opened it for her.
Mr Evans commented, "She had no idea what had happened to her." The next morning, witnesses reported noticing suspicious behavior from Price.
Police were called after reviewing the footage, leading to his arrest.
Price claimed he had no memory of the incident due to his heavy drinking and later admitted guilt to sexual assault.
In court, the victim delivered a personal statement expressing her shock and disgust, stating, "When I found this out I was gobsmacked.
It's disgusting, I can't believe he's done this to me.
I'm glad he's been arrested so he can't do this to anyone else.
Why did he do this to me in a living room on camera, thank God it was captured on camera.
If this wasn't found out he might have done this to someone else." Defense attorney Susan Ferrier described Price as "thoroughly ashamed" and attributed his memory loss to intoxication, noting his long-term alcohol dependence.
Judge Richard Williams sentenced him to four years in prison, emphasizing the gravity of his actions: "You targeted a particularly vulnerable victim...
You were intoxicated and ignored concerns about your own behaviour.
You deliberately isolated her by locking the door to prevent discovery.
You made sure she was unresponsive to touch and sexually assaulted her.
It was a sustained assault with repeated and vigorous grabbing of her vagina."
