PETERLEE MAN SHAUN POLLOCK JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN NEWPORT
A County Durham man has been jailed after he was found guilty following a trial of a “serious sexual assault” on a teenage woman.Shaun Pollock was 27 when he carried out the attack in Newport, Wales, five years ago.
He was convicted of assault by penetration by a jury.
Formerly of Newport, now of Balliol Close, Peterlee, County Durham, Pollock continues to deny any wrongdoing.
The woman read her victim impact statement and told Cardiff Crown Court: “I feel on edge.
I have flashbacks and nightmares and replay what happened over and over in my mind – I can’t escape it.” She added: “I don’t trust people and I feel terrified it could happen again.
What has been taken from me can’t be given back.” Ieuan Bennett, prosecuting, said that Pollock had no previous convictions.
The defendant’s barrister, Tabitha Walker, said: “He’s now lost his good character and has not been in trouble since this offence five years ago.
He finds it difficult to come to terms with the verdict of the jury.” She also mentioned Pollock had attempted to take his own life last year and that he was supported in court by his sister, caring for his elderly and unwell father who recently passed away.
The judge, Recorder Andrew Hammond, stated to Pollock: “You performed a serious sexual assault upon your victim.
She did absolutely nothing to cause, incite or deserve what you did to her.
The effect on her has been marked.
You continue to deny that you committed this offence.” The assault was described as “opportunistic” rather than planned.
Pollock, now aged 32, was sentenced to four years in prison, with an expectation to serve half before being released on license.
He was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, be subject to a 10-year restraining order, and pay a statutory surcharge.
