PETE RICHMOND FROM CHELTENHAM AND GLOUCESTER ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT IN BICESTER

A man identified as Pete Richmond, whose whereabouts are currently listed as no fixed abode, has narrowly avoided imprisonment after being convicted of a sexual assault that took place in Bicester. The incident, which occurred on February 18, 2023, has left a lasting impact on the victim, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the assault.

Richmond, aged 42, was brought before Oxford Crown Court on Monday, January 20, where he received a sentence of a 24-month community order following his conviction on one count of sexual assault. The conviction was the result of a trial held in November of the previous year, during which the jury found him guilty of 'grabbing and squeezing' a woman’s breast without her consent while she was dining at The Plough pub located on North Street.

The court heard that the woman, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was enjoying her meal with her boyfriend when the incident occurred around 5 pm. She was in the process of finishing her lunch when Richmond, who had previously worked at the pub but had left in late 2022, entered the establishment. Recognizing him from his previous employment as a bartender, she made eye contact with Richmond as he approached.

Without any warning or verbal exchange, Richmond moved towards the area behind her, where the toilets were located. In a shocking act, he reached out and grabbed her left breast, squeezing it for approximately five to six seconds. The woman immediately screamed, and her boyfriend responded swiftly by pushing Richmond away, forcing him through the toilet doors in an effort to protect her.

The court was informed through a victim impact statement that the woman has been suffering from heightened anxiety and hypervigilance since the assault. She described feeling 'violated and shaken' by the incident, which has profoundly affected her mental health. She has since undergone trauma therapy and now struggles with insomnia. The victim expressed her uncertainty about when she might feel free from the stress and trauma caused by the assault, highlighting the lasting emotional scars.

Richmond’s criminal history was also discussed during the sentencing. It was revealed that he has two previous convictions, including offenses related to stalking and a public order violation, which predate the sexual assault. Despite these prior convictions, the court opted for a community-based sentence rather than incarceration, emphasizing the seriousness of the incident and its impact on the victim.