Pub chef jailed after admitting sexual assault

A ONCE “outgoing” and “bubbly” woman has been left afraid to go out after she was sexually assaulted by a chef in the early hours.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she struggles to sleep and feels like she cannot trust anyone after Shane Balmont engaged in sexual activity without her consent.

In a victim impact statement read out at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday, she said: “I can’t believe or understand why he would do this to me.”

The court heard the incident occurred at around 4.30am on June 4 last year.

Claire Pickthall, prosecuting, said Balmont was arrested the next day and told police there was no sexual contact between himself and the complainant. He suggested she was lying.

She added: “He denied he had done anything wrong.”

The court heard the defendant told officers forensic tests would not support the woman’s allegations, but his DNA was found on her underwear.

In her personal statement, the woman said she had been feeling depressed since the incident and had to visit her doctor several times.

She said her mental health had suffered and she had been prescribed sleeping tablets as she was struggling to sleep at night.

The woman said she used to be “outgoing” and “bubbly”, but has lost her confidence and feels unable to trust people.

She added: “I think about the incident most nights. I no longer feel confident to go out.”

Prosecutors said Balmont had nine previous convictions, including harassment and sending an offensive message in February 2016, then breaching the restraining order that was imposed as a result.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke noted he had a “long history” of failing to comply with court orders.

The court heard he also had convictions for battery, criminal damage and drunk and disorderly behaviour.

Ms Pickthall argued aggravating features included the fact the incident happened at night.

Balmont, 23, from Oakfield Street in Roath, Cardiff, initially denied sexual assault but changed his plea on the day his trial was due to start.

Andrew Kendall, mitigating, stressed his client had no previous convictions for sexual offences.

The court heard he previously worked as a manager at Burger King and now works as a chef at Wetherspoons.

Mr Kendall said the defendant had a “difficult upbringing” as his father died when he was seven and he spent much of his childhood in care.

He said Balmont recognised his previous offending was linked to alcohol and he has not drunk alcohol for three months.

The court heard he is in a relationship and has a child.

Judge Lloyd-Clarke said the offending was aggravated by his previous convictions.

She noted the complainant said she felt like she was to blame and said: “Absolutely no blame attaches to her.”

Balmont was jailed for 16 months. He must register as a sex offender for the next 10 years and a restraining order was made.