PAUL DARNELL SENTENCED IN ABERTILLERY FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON WOMAN

A 73-year-old man from Abertillery, Paul Darnell, was sentenced to prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a woman, with a judge condemning his actions as a gratuitous humiliation. Recorder Richard Booth QC described Darnell as a "cowardly bully" and criticized how he degraded his victim.

Darnell, of Commercial Road, Llanhilleth, denied all charges but was found guilty by a jury following a trial. The charges included assault by penetration, sexual assault, and common assault.

Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe reported that the victim provided a personal statement describing how she was terrified by Darnell. The court was told she now suffers from flashbacks related to the incident and expressed her feelings, saying, "I feel embarrassed and ashamed of what happened. I've never been so frightened in my life as I was on the day of the incidents. I live like a scared animal."

Kathryn Lane, representing Darnell, requested the judge consider his age and previous good character. She also highlighted Darnell’s health problems, including anxiety, depression, diabetes, and a heart condition.

During sentencing, Recorder Booth said to Darnell: "You spanked her and, in a terrifying incident, made unwanted sexual advances and demands from your victim. The gratuitous degradation of her was appalling. These were the acts of a cowardly bully."

Darnell was sentenced to three years in prison and will serve half of that time before being released on licence. He is also required to register as a sex offender for life. Additionally, he was ordered to pay an £181 victim surcharge after his release from custody.