Locations
Cae Syr Dafydd, Cardiff, Wales, CF11
Description
A pensioner sexually assaulted a woman while she was asleep after he had taken cocaine and cannabis. The woman woke to find herself naked and the man touching her.
Huw Thomas, 72, of Cardiff, was found guilty of sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. The court heard he attended a house in Penarth in 2020, where he drank alcohol, took drugs.
He entered a bedroom where the victim, a young woman, was lying in bed and went on to sexually assault her. The victim later called the police and Thomas was arrested but he claimed the woman was awake as well as instigated and consented to the sexual acts.
Thomas, of Cae Syr Dafydd, Canton, told police in his interview he had penetrated the victim with his fingers, which the victim was not aware of at the time of the offence. He continued to claim his innocence at trial but was found guilty of both the charges he faced.
Sentencing, Recorder John Philpotts said: "The jury convicted you of two serious sexual offences against a young female. You drank alcohol, took cocaine and smoked cannabis. You entered a bedroom occupied by your victim.
"She awoke to find you touching her vagina as she lay naked in bed. You also, unbeknownst to her, digitally penetrated her. She reported the matter to police and you were arrested. In your interview by police, you claimed that what you had done was with the consent and the instigation of your victim.
"You maintained that account at trial but the jury rejected it and from reading the pre-sentence it's clear you still refuse to accept your guilt."
The court heard Thomas had some previous convictions but not related to sexual offences. In mitigation, defence barrister Susan Ferrier said her client had been described as "decent, honest, polite, helpful and a man of conviction" by those that knew him. She said at the time of the offence, Thomas was in a depressive state and recognised he had a drinking problem.
Ms Ferrier said: "He maintains his position it was his belief she was awake but the jury rejected this." She said the offence was "opportunistic" in nature, and described the defendant as a "family man".
Thomas was sentenced to a total of two years imprisonment. He was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.