Kenny Jones 39

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A man tried to kill himself days before he was due to be sentenced for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman. Kenny Jones, 38, had denied the offence but was convicted after a trial. A judge at his sentencing hearing in Caernarfon Crown Court today was told Jones had been in hospital all week before his court appearance.

But the judge said the effect of the crime on his victim, who is still traumatised by the 2020 assault, was so serious he "would not be doing his job properly" if he didn't send Jones straight to prison, which he did for two years.

The court heard the victim had been at a property on Anglesey on November 22, 2020 when Jones grabbed her arms, "squeezed and bruised them", and asked her to kiss him. She refused but he tried to kiss her. He also made a lewd reference to her.

Then Jones, of Llwyn Onn, Amlwch, left and took a car without the owner's consent, even though he had no driving licence or insurance. The court heard he had committed the sexual assault for his own "selfish, sexual gratification".

In a statement, the victim said she used to be "bubbly and outgoing" but after the offence she felt embarrassed and guilty that "people would judge her for not trying to fight him off".

Her life was "shattered" and she doesn't go to the area where it happened as she is "terrified" she will see the offender. She now distrusts men and is seeking counselling. She added: "Kenny Jones is still ruining my life...Kenny Jones has no idea of the pain he has caused me."

Dafydd Roberts, defending, pointed out that Jones had lost his young son in 2010 and was seriously assaulted in 2017 and is still on medication. Then he tried to take his own life.

He said: "Mr Kenny Jones presents to the court in a very dark place. In the early hours of Monday this week Mr Jones did make an attempt on his life. He was admitted to hospital and has been in hospital all this week up until Thursday. He remains in a very low mood."

But he said the probation service believe that his client could be rehabilitated and asked the judge to suspend any prison sentence.

Mr Roberts added that Jones has taken to drink and drugs as a crutch to deal with his issues. "He desperately wants to break free from that cycle."

He would have fresh medication in prison which would make life difficult. He is not a lost cause and could do a drug rehabilitation programme as recommended by the probation service. He has worked to improve his accommodation and has the support of his mother.

But the judge Mr Recorder Wyn Lloyd Jones told the defendant he had sexually assaulted the woman "for his selfish, sexual gratification".

He said: "It's clear that this offence has had a significant effect on her mentally and emotionally. I would not be doing my job properly today if I suspend the sentence. An immediate prison sentence is appropriate for what you did and the effect it had on this victim."

He also imposed a ten-year restraining order prohibiting Jones from contacting the woman, who cannot be named to protect her identity.