A man has been jailed after he sexually assaulted a young woman

A MAN HAS BEEN JAILED AFTER HE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED A YOUNG WOMAN

Gary Wilkinson, aged 53, was reported to have touched and licked a woman's neck before attempting to undress her and touching her breasts, according to proceedings at Lincoln Crown Court.

Residing on Mark Avenue in Horncastle, Wilkinson pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault.

He received a prison sentence of 17 months and is required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years.

Prosecutor Neil Sands informed the court that the assault occurred after Wilkinson's visit to a beer festival.

During the incident, Wilkinson pulled down the victim’s vest top and tried to remove her shorts, Mr Sands stated.

The assault persisted even as the woman started crying, he added.

It was revealed that Wilkinson apologized to the victim and asked her to keep quiet.

He also provided a false explanation when speaking to police and maintained his innocence during a probation interview, the court learned.

Mr Sands highlighted that the significant age difference between Wilkinson and his victim was considered an aggravating factor.

In a victim statement read aloud, the woman expressed feeling terrible since the event, mentioning it affected her mental health and caused her to distrust others.

Defense lawyer Sam Jones noted Wilkinson had endured hate mail, experienced a decline in his plastering business, and faced vandalism to his vehicle.

He also stated Wilkinson was no longer in a relationship.

In his sentencing remarks, Recorder Graham Huston emphasized Wilkinson’s lack of remorse or empathy, pointing out the victim’s protests were ignored.

Wilkinson was also ordered to comply with a five-year restraining order.