WILLIAM MEDLAND SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN BUDE

A man identified as William Medland has been sentenced to a decade in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a woman while she was a guest at his residence in Bude. The incident, which took place in 2019, involved Medland secretly entering the living room where the woman was sleeping on the sofa. According to court proceedings, the woman awoke to find Medland groping her breasts, with his hands inside her underwear and attempting to remove her trousers. She managed to fend him off and observed him leaving the room, an act that left her visibly distressed.

In the aftermath, Medland appeared to behave as if nothing had occurred, attempting to deny any wrongdoing and lying about the events when questioned. Despite his claims, a jury found him guilty of both assault by penetration and sexual assault, largely based on compelling forensic evidence that linked him directly to the crime scene. The court heard that these offenses had occurred over a period spanning from 2019, with the incident at Medland’s residence in Bude being central to the case.

The victim recounted to police that she had consumed two glasses of wine and two glasses of rum and ginger before feeling unwell. She expressed concern that her drink might have been spiked, although the prosecution clarified that there was no evidence to support this theory. She fell asleep on the sofa, and upon waking, she found herself with a blanket over her head and felt someone groping her. She then experienced a second wave of assault, during which her clothes were removed and she was subjected to sexual acts. Throughout this ordeal, she described feeling as if her body was unresponsive to her mental commands, and she struggled to speak. Despite her distress, she was able to see Medland’s face as he left the room.

During the trial, Medland denied the allegations, claiming that the sexual assaults never took place and that his actions were attempts to help her because she was unwell. However, the court was presented with DNA evidence that conclusively linked him to the crimes. Medland, who resides in Whitstone, Holsworthy, was ultimately convicted and sentenced to serve two-thirds of his ten-year term in prison. Additionally, he will be required to register as a sex offender for an indefinite period, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the court’s commitment to public safety.