Jail for Walsall father who sexually assaulted vulnerable woman
A father-of-four, who sexually assaulted a woman with mental health issues after taking cocaine, has been locked up for almost three years.
The victim was woken by 33-year-old Stephen Street on September 9 last year by a late-night knock on the door which she opened thinking the caller was her brother, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
Street invited her to come round to see them to where he was staying at the time lying that a mutual friend was also in.
Mr Kevin Grego, prosecuting, told the court: “There was no reason to think anything untoward but after a brief chat she said she was tired and was returning to her flat.”
He said Street grabbed hold of her legs and kissed her over her clothes but she managed to break free and was about to leave when he wrapped his arms round her from behind and kissed her neck.
Then he forced her to touch him intimately before she finally escaped to her own home where she raised the alarm and police were alerted.
The vulnerable victim was so traumatised by the incident that she was forced to move. She explained in a victim impact statement: “I could not bear to stay there I did not feel safe. I had brought my mental health under control until this happened but now I have taken a massive backward step as a result of what he did to me.” Since then she had self harmed and considered suicide, disclosed Mr Grego. who concluded: “The effects on her psychologically have been profound.”
Mr Nicholas Smith, defending, said: “He had taken alcohol and cocaine and thought he would chance his arm but was devastated when he discovered the victim was vulnerable.”
He had not known that before and does not have a history of sexual offences.”
Street, a separated father of four from Sister Dora Gardens, Walsall, with six previous convictions, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and was jailed for two years, nine months.
