STEVEN LHIRONDELLE AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN TORQUAY
A man named Steven Lhirondelle has been sentenced to 22 months in prison following a disturbing incident that took place in Torquay.The incident involved Lhirondelle unlawfully entering a private residence and engaging in a sexual assault against a woman who was asleep at the time.
The assault occurred in the early hours of a day in May, leaving the victim deeply traumatized and fearful of returning to her home.
According to court reports, the victim, a woman in her 60s who lived alone, was awakened by an intruder who had entered her home.
She described the intruder switching lights on and off and repeatedly uttering threats such as 'I will steal.' Suddenly, she felt someone in her bed with her.
She was unable to identify the man at the time, but she experienced his physical contact—being stroked on her back and kissed 10 to 12 times—while he remained silent throughout the assault.
The victim recounted feeling frozen by panic, confused about what was happening, and overwhelmed with fear that she was about to be raped.
Summoning her courage, she managed to leap out of bed and fled the scene, running downstairs and shouting for help.
Her screams attracted the attention of neighbors and eventually prompted police to respond swiftly to the scene.
When law enforcement officers arrived, they found Lhirondelle still at the property, appearing calm.
However, he soon ran away from the scene before being apprehended later that morning.
During police questioning, Lhirondelle admitted to having consumed alcohol and claimed he was trying to find a place to sleep, stating, 'Yes, I've had a bit too much to drink and tried to get into the house.' He also expressed remorse, saying, 'I'm sorry.
I don't know why I did it.' He could not recall the act of kissing the woman but acknowledged her account as truthful.
Lhirondelle, who was described by the court as a lonely but otherwise diligent man, pleaded guilty to charges of trespassing with the intent to commit a sexual offense and sexually touching a woman without her consent.
His defense attorney, Mr.
Martin Salloway, highlighted that Lhirondelle was unable to fully explain his actions, which he characterized as out of character.
The lawyer also noted that his client was moved to tears by the victim’s statement and expressed regret for his conduct.
The victim’s statement conveyed the profound impact of the assault.
She revealed her ongoing fear, stating, 'I cannot sleep in my bed, I cannot bear the thought.
I will have to clean and disinfect the house.
I am shaken and overwhelmed.
Part of me doesn't believe it's happened, but I am choosing to think like that because I'm still in a trace.' Her account underscored the lasting emotional scars left by the incident.
Judge David Evans addressed the court, emphasizing the severity of the crime.
Although he acknowledged that Lhirondelle’s actions were not driven by a desire to rape, the victim’s fear of such an outcome was real and justified.
The judge stated, 'She feared she would be raped.
I accept that was not your intention but that was the terrifying prospect she feared.
You must have realised that possibility and had you been sober you would have realised anybody waking up to that situation would be likely to fear that as the ultimate outcome.' The judge concluded that the seriousness of the offense warranted a custodial sentence, rejecting any possibility of suspension.
Lhirondelle, residing on Babbacombe Road, was thus sentenced to serve 22 months in prison for his actions, which he admitted early on, thereby sparing the victim from a trial.
The court’s decision reflects the gravity with which such violations are regarded, especially when they involve vulnerable individuals in their own homes.
