Three years for spare room assault

A sleeping woman was abused by a man after she put him for the night in her spare room, a court heard.

Darrel Phillips, 44, carried out his vile attack as the victim slept on 12 July 2020.

The following morning the woman awoke in pain and realised her clothing had been removed.

She also remembered Phillips being in her bed and she had pushed him away telling him ‘no’.

The victim reported the assault to the police, prompting an nvestigation by the Central East Command Unit.

He was arrested and interviewed but refused to answer any questions.

Phillips, of Saffron Walden, Essex, denied assault by penetration but was convicted by a jury after a five-day trial at Southwark Crown Court.

He was jailed for three years and handed an indefinite restraining order, banning him from contact with the victim. He was also ordered to sign on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Detective Sergeant Michael Dixon from the Central East Safeguarding Team said: ‘Phillips showed no regard to the rights of a woman, and he attacked her whist she slept.

‘I would like to take this opportunity to commend the victim-survivor, who has shown enormous courage throughout this process and fought for justice.

‘We fully understand that reporting a sexual crime can be traumatic for anyone. I would urge anyone in this position to get in contact with the police – you will be listened to and supported by specially trained officers.’

Sexual Offences Investigative Techniques Officer (SOIT) Thomas Coe from the Central East Safeguarding team added: ‘I would strongly encourage any person who has been subjected to a sexual offence to report to police and visit a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) or Haven.

‘Part of the reason that this conviction was secured is because it was reported immediately, and vital forensic evidence was gathered at the earliest opportunity. I hope this sends a strong signal to victim-survivors that we are absolutely committed to investigating these crimes fully.’