NEIL HAMILTON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN SHEFFIELD: VICTIM'S TRAUMA AND CRIMINAL PAST REVEALED

Neil Hamilton, a man from Sheffield, was found guilty by a jury of one count of assault by penetration following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court. Despite his attempts to deny responsibility for the assault, the evidence presented in court led to his conviction. The incident in question took place on January 27, 2025, and has left a lasting impact on the victim, whose emotional and mental health have been severely affected.

During the sentencing hearing, the victim, whose identity remains protected, read a heartfelt statement describing the profound trauma he endured. He revealed that after the assault, he experienced a loss of appetite and a sense of hopelessness, questioning whether life was worth living. The victim also shared that he has been struggling to regain his sense of masculinity in the aftermath of the attack.

He recounted how the assault triggered a downward spiral into drug use over a period of ten weeks, and how the trauma resurfaced during Hamilton’s trial, plunging him back into a dark and painful place. The victim emphasized that although Hamilton will eventually be released from prison, he will carry the emotional scars for the rest of his life, highlighting the lasting damage caused by the crime.

Details of the incident reveal that Hamilton, aged 58 and residing on Granville Road, Norfolk Park, Sheffield, committed the assault while the victim was heavily intoxicated. The court heard that Hamilton targeted the victim when he was vulnerable and unable to defend himself. Judge Rachael Harrison, presiding over the case, sentenced Hamilton to seven years in prison, stating, “Having heard the evidence, I’m sure that you waited until he was in that state before you sexually assaulted him, while he was face down.” The judge also acknowledged the profound effect the assault had on the victim, noting the victim’s personal statement as evidence of the trauma inflicted.

In a separate verdict, Hamilton was acquitted of a charge of rape, which was part of the same trial. The prosecution, led by Matthew Burdon, highlighted Hamilton’s extensive criminal history, which includes 19 previous offences from 10 convictions. Among these is a 2002 conviction for indecent assault, where Hamilton preyed upon another intoxicated male who was unconscious at the time. Hamilton was initially sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for that offence, but this was later reduced to a three-year community order on appeal.

During the trial, Hamilton’s defense attorney, Dermot Hughes, argued that both parties had been voluntarily intoxicated during the incident. He also mentioned that Hamilton was involved in a collision while being transported back to Doncaster prison in a van, which resulted in a back injury. Hughes explained that Hamilton has been in constant pain since the crash and expressed concern over his elderly father’s health. Hamilton’s father, described as very frail and elderly, has been unable to contact his son, and Hughes conveyed Hamilton’s fears about his father’s deteriorating condition and the possibility of reaching a terminal stage without Hamilton’s support.

Judge Harrison emphasized the vulnerability of the victim, noting that Hamilton waited until the victim was incapacitated and unable to defend himself before committing the assault. In addition to the prison sentence, Hamilton was ordered to remain on the sex offenders’ register for ten years. It is anticipated that Hamilton will serve approximately two-thirds of his sentence behind bars, reflecting the severity of his actions and the court’s recognition of the lasting harm caused to the victim.