CONNAH'S QUAY MAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
A 60-year-old man from Connah's Quay has been given a suspended prison sentence after admitting a sexual assault.Caernarfon Crown Court heard that Mark Douglas, of St Marks Avenue, pleaded guilty on the morning his trial was due to begin to one count of sexual assault.
Prosecutor Ellen Owen said the offence took place in 2023 after both parties had been drinking.
The court heard the complainant later lost consciousness.
While she was in that state, Douglas carried out a sexual assault.
The incident was discovered by another person who challenged him at the time.
The court heard the matter was reported to police shortly afterwards.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the complainant described ongoing anxiety and a loss of trust following the incident, saying it had affected her mental health and sense of safety.
Douglas initially denied the offence in police interview, claiming he had been looking for his glasses.
The court heard he has 38 previous convictions for 86 offences, though none were of a similar nature.
Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones said the complainant had been particularly vulnerable.
She said Douglas had taken advantage of that vulnerability and described the offence as serious.
After applying credit for his guilty plea, Judge Jones sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
Douglas was also ordered to complete an alcohol treatment programme and 20 days of rehabilitation activity.
