Sexual assault by Gainsborough man on woman walking home

Jake Barker, 22, of High Street, committed the attack in the Hyson Green area of Nottingham on Thursday, October 29 last year.

Just seven days earlier, he had been sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court to a 24-month jail term, suspended for two years, on drugs matters.

Barker assaulted the woman at about 7 pm as he followed her only yards from a police station on Radford Road, Nottingham Magistrates’ Court was told.

“She was walking home and became aware of a man behind her,” said Hannah Whelan, prosecuting. “He had his hands down his trousers and was apparently in drink.”

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, twice crossed the road in a bid to shrug off the man and even told a nearby community police officer that she was concerned.

But then Barker approached her at speed, grabbed her by the wrist and committed the sexual assault.

“She shouted: he’s attacking me!” said Mrs Whelan. “The police officer saw this and ran to detain the defendant and arrest him.”

Barker pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual touching, which was intentional and without consent.

Louise Wright, mitigating, told the court: “He wishes to make it clear that he never deliberately targeted this woman. Drink had been consumed.”

The case was adjourned for the preparation of a report on Barker by probation officers. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, February 12.