Sex assault victim ‘unable to move on with her life’
A MAN has been jailed for a year after sexually assaulting a woman.
Liam Slater, 41, from Cardiff, denied sexually assaulting the victim but was found guilty by a jury after a trial.
In a victim personal statement read out at Cardiff Crown Court, the woman said: “[This offending] has affected my self-esteem and brought feelings of shame and embarrassment.”
The court heard the incident occurred in September last year.
Judge Michael Fitton QC told the defendant: “You, in my judgement, took advantage of the situation to position yourself close to her.”
In her statement, the victim said she was in the middle of a key period of professional training.
James Wilson, prosecuting, told the court the offending had a detrimental impact on her career.
The woman said: “One of the most difficult consequences has been the impact on my psychological wellbeing.
“I have experienced each stage of the grieving process – most notably denial and anger.
“It is still difficult to comprehend the severity of the defendant’s actions.”
The victim stated she was worried that Slater may go on to sexually assault other women.
She added: “I have not yet been able to move on with my life.”
Slater, from Crwys Road, Cathays, denied assault by penetration, but was found guilty by a jury.
David Purnell, defending, said his client was drinking an “excessive” amount of alcohol at the time.
He asked the judge to consider Slater’s character “in the round”, stressing the quantity of good work he had done for others.
The defence barrister asked for any sentence of imprisonment to be suspended.
Judge Fitton noted the defendant’s previous “excellent” character, but concluded that only an immediate prison sentence could be justified.
Slater was jailed for 12 months as well as being ordered to pay a victim surcharge.