SHAUN POLLOCK

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 told the court: “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.” Miss Walker added that her client had attempted to take his own life last year.

It was also revealed that Pollock was supported in court by his sister and that he cares for his elderly and unwell father.

The defendant’s mother had recently passed away.

The judge, Recorder Andrew Hammond, said 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.” Recorder Hammond added that the assault had been “opportunistic” rather than planned.

Pollock, now aged 32, was locked up for four years and told he would serve half of that sentence before being released on licence.

The defendant will have to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was made the subject of a 10-year restraining order not to contact his victim.

He will also have to pay a statutory surcharge.