James Ward 34

Description

A man who sexually assaulted a woman after a night out in Brigg was sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court on Monday, 6 October 2025 to four years and eleven months in prison and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

James Ward, 34-years-old, of Bottesford, pleaded guilty to assault by penetration after approaching a woman who had been socialising with friends at a bar in Brigg during the early hours of Sunday, 1 August 2021.

After engaging her in conversation, Ward left the venue with the woman and took her to a nearby field, before sexually assaulting her. The woman was later found by her friends in a state of distress, while Ward fled the scene.

An investigation was launched to understand the circumstances surrounding the assault and following lines of enquiries, Ward was identified and arrested at his home address on Sunday, 1 August 2021 and subsequently charged.

Leading the investigation, Detective Constable Rebecca McInnis said:

“Ward’s actions were abusive and exploitative, targeting a vulnerable woman for his own predatory gratification.

"This traumatic experience will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the woman, and while no outcome can reverse the harm caused, I hope his guilty plea provides some measure of relief.

“We take all reports of rape and sexual offences extremely seriously and remain committed to seeking justice for those who have suffered at the hands of exploitative predators.”