DRUNKEN CATTERICK GARRISON SOLDIER CARRIED OUT SEX ATTACK ON WOMAN
A boozed-up soldier and dad-of-one carried out a sex attack on a woman leaving her traumatised, a court heard.
Ratu Aisake Tonawai climbed into the victim’s bed uninvited before removing clothing and sexually assaulting her.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the 28-year-old was heavily intoxicated and possibly under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack.
Nick Lane, prosecuting, said: “He had consumed significant quantities of alcohol and on the strength of the messages he sent it indicated that he had taken illicit drugs.” Tonawai, of Catterick Garrison, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault following the incident in 2022.
In a victim impact statement the woman said she was left "traumatised".
Jordan Millican, mitigating, said the father-of-one was of previous good character and the case had been hanging over him for years.
“This was unpleasant offending,” he said.
“Notwithstanding that I am going ask for a suspended sentence in this case.” Mr Millican said the Fijian national sent money home to support his partner and child by covering the rent of their home.
Judge Peter Armstrong sentenced the defendant to 12 months in custody.
Tonawai was also made subject to a five-year restraining order and ordered to sign on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
ian national sent money home to support his partner and child by covering the rent of their home. Judge Peter Armstrong sentenced the defendant to 12 months in custody. Tonawai was also made subject to a five-year restraining order and o...
Suspended sentence
Jordan Millican, mitigating, said the father-of-one was of previous good character and the case had been hanging over him for years. "This was unpleasant offending," he said. "Notwithstanding that I am going ask for a suspended sentence in this case." Mr Millican said the Fijian national sent money home to support his partner and child by covering the rent of their home
Prison sentence
12 months
Judge Peter Armstrong sentenced the defendant to 12 months in custody
Court order
ten years
Tonawai was also made subject to a five-year restraining order and ordered to sign on the sex offenders' register for ten years
