MAN DRAGGED OFF WOMAN DURING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN HER OWN HOME
A man intoxicated with alcohol and drugs had to be physically removed after attempting to assault a woman while she was asleep.Hazaroth Wise tried to molest the woman despite her protests, and after being pushed away, he claimed that she had wanted it.
Court proceedings at Durham Crown Court revealed that the victim, who had gone to sleep after drinking, woke to find Wise kissing her neck and face.
Prosecutor Robin Turton stated that Wise asked her if the contact was okay and whether he could proceed.
She told him repeatedly to stop, but he responded by saying it was fine.
The next thing she recalled was Wise being pulled off her, and upon awakening, she noticed she was no longer wearing her underwear.
The victim believed Wise had removed her clothing while she was asleep.
Although uncertain, she suspected he had sexually assaulted her.
When pulled away, Wise pretended to be sleepy, pulled up his trousers, and denied any wrongdoing.
She reported the incident to police.
During his police interview, Wise claimed the sexual contact was consensual.
The 32-year-old, living in Sunderland, admitted the charge at a plea hearing in April.
On June 5, the court reviewed the victim’s statement, which described how the incident had harmed her mental health and confidence, leaving her frightened of unprovoked encounters.
Representing Wise, Jennifer Coxon said he felt remorseful and cited his statement in a probation report where he expressed shame for his actions.
However, Judge Aisha Wadoodi noted that Wise still maintained that the victim initiated contact and that he didn’t remember removing her underwear.
Coxon explained that Wise was heavily intoxicated and had taken cocaine for the first time.
The judge commented that Wise showed little insight or remorse, having only acted after being physically pulled away.
Wise received an 18-month prison sentence, a five-year restraining order preventing contact with the victim, and was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years.
