Jason Collins 30

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A convicted sex offender has escaped prison despite carrying out yet another attack.

29-year-old Jason Collins was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in Marlborough following a trial held at Swindon Magistrates’ Court in January.

At a sentencing hearing in March, prosecutor Keith Ballinger said that the defendant squeezed the victim’s bottom following a verbal altercation in September 2021.

The woman – who knew Collins through family – responded by shouting: “Don’t touch my f**king bum” and police were called to the scene.

In a victim personal statement, she said that she had left her hometown as a result of the incident and now suffers from depression and anxiety, which has put a strain on her relationship.

She spoke about the assault having an impact on her eating – stating that she doesn’t eat for days or weeks at a time due to feeling disgusted with her body.

The court heard how, in January 2021, he was convicted of sexual assault and received a suspended prison sentence. Already a registered sex offender at the time of that attack, he was also prosecuted for a breach of the sex offender notification requirements.

Mr Jones, defending, said that Collins “still maintains that he did not engage in this activity at all”.

He added that this allegation is very different from his previous offending, but accepted that Collins has “a significant history of sexual offences”.

Mr Jones added that his client – who suffered a “very traumatic childhood” – has made “significant progress” over recent years. He said he had stopped drinking, is learning to drive and looking for work.

Magistrates accepted that his behaviour has improved since the date of the incident and imposed a 36-month community order. He must pay £200 costs and a £95 surcharge.

Collins, of Avro Close, Upavon, must register as a sex offender for five years. This will run concurrently with any existing registration. A 12-month restraining order was also imposed.