Locations
Glendale Avenue, Washington, Tyne And Wear, NE37
Description
A man punched a woman twice in the face while on a night out in Sunderland before sexually assaulting her.
Nathan Maxwell hit the woman to the face twice before doing a runner when witnesses intervened, but later committed a sexual assault on her. The 24-year-old committed the offences in June, last year, with Maxwell punching the woman in the face, before hitting her again on the chin. He appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday to be sentenced for common assault and sexual assault.
Emma Dowling, prosecuting, said the woman had been out for the day having drinks in Sunderland, but was unfamiliar with the city, and "was not sure" where she was. Later that day, Maxwell "grabbed" her. "He grabbed her and pulled her back. She tried to pull away, but couldn't", she said. "He suddenly punched her to the right cheek and then punched her again on the chin. She was shocked and went quiet before collapsing.
Ms Dowling said that other revellers saw what happened and "confronted" Maxwell, who then ran away. "The woman was not familiar with the area and people asked if she was OK", she said. The court heard that following the assault, Maxwell also sexually assaulted the woman - who was left with bruising to her chin following the assault.
Brian Hegarty, defending, said Maxwell had no previous convictions of a similar type and was someone who had a "fairly full job history". He added: "He tells me he has a contact at an agency who would be able to use his skills readily."
Sentencing Maxwell, of Glendale Avenue, Concord, Washington, Judge Amanda Rippon, said: "You punched her to the face and to the right cheek. Strangers came to her rescue and told you off, you ran away and she collapsed." The judge handed Maxwell a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years and ordered him to carry out 45 rehabilitation activity days. He must also pay 1,000 compensation to the victim within six months, and an indefinite restraining order was also imposed.
Maxwell will also be on the sex offender's register for 10 years. Judge Rippon added: "Any breaches will be reserved to me. You do not want to come back to my court room...you need to grow up."