Robert North 47

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A rugby club treasurer has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman after giving her a lift home from a party.

Accountant and Torrington Rugby Club treasurer Robert North, 45, molested the woman as she slept in the back of his car.

She woke to find him with his hands up her dress.

North stood trial at Exeter Crown Court in November and was convicted by a jury of assault by penetration. He returned to court on Friday (January 21) and was put away for four-and-a-half years.

Judge Anna Richardson said: "You took the opportunity to callously seek sexual gratification as she was lying on the back seat of the car."

After the sentence, police praised the bravery of the victim for coming forward and showing patience through the long court process.

The case dated back to 2020.

The trial heard North offered the woman a lift home and she fell asleep on the way.

The defendant, of Linden Close, said he was just trying to help the unresponsive woman from the back seat of the car.

Mr Richard Crabb, defending, says he still denies doing anything wrong.

He said North was a man of previous good character whose marriage had broken down shortly before the incident.

The offence had been 'opportunistic' rather than pre-planned, he added.

The victim said in a statement that she still suffers nightmares about the assault and ongoing trauma.

She said: "I am angry about what happened to me. I want him to know what he has done and I want to know why he did it."

Judge Richardson said: "Her trauma continues. She was particularly vulnerable as she was asleep."

After the case Detective Constable Cartwright of Barnstaple CID said: "Todays outcome could not have been possible without the bravery and courage of the victim for staying with us throughout the long court process.

"I hope that this may help other survivors of sexual assault by giving them the confidence to come forward and report such crimes to the police."