Sean Raven 26

Description

A man who sexually assaulted a woman and stole her underwear has avoided a prison sentence.

Sean Raven, 26, "violated" his victim's body, the woman said, and made "lewd" comments towards her.

Prosecuting, David Fosler told Southampton Magistrates’ Court that Raven touched her inappropriately over her clothing which made her feel “shocked and uncomfortable”.

In a separate incident, he said to her: "I want to see what underwear you are wearing."

This "again made her uncomfortable," Mr Fosler said.

The court heard how Raven also stole the woman’s underwear from her car.

In a victim impact statement read to the court by Mr Fosler, the woman said: “I told him there is help out there he can get.

“Sean took advantage of my understanding nature, and it is only now I realise his actions are dangerous.

“He violated my body by touching me and invading my personal space, and making lewd comments towards me.”

Mitigating, Oliver O’Connor said Raven did not take advantage of the woman, rather, “misunderstood" due to his autism.

He said: “Mr Raven has quite severe autism and work needs to be done so we can make sure this behaviour does not happen again.”

Raven, of Adey Close, Southampton, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault, theft from a motor vehicle and assault by beating.

Deputy District Judge Paul Booty told Raven he is “very lucky” because the touching was done over the woman’s clothing.

“Otherwise, you could be facing a prison sentence," he said.

Raven was handed a two-year community order and must complete up to 45 rehabilitation activity requirements and 100 hours of unpaid work.