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COULD I GET A SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT?

Sexual assault is one of the most serious criminal offences, and the prospect of facing such charges can be particularly daunting given the severe consequences and social stigma involved. If you have been accused of sexual assault, you are likely feeling extremely anxious and frightened. The gravity of the allegations and worries about the potential for significant prison time are overwhelming. This article will explain what sexual assault involves in legal terms, the sentencing options available to courts, and the circumstances under which you might receive a suspended sentence rather than immediate custody.

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault is defined under Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as intentionally touching another person sexually when that person does not consent to the touching and you do not reasonably believe that they consent. This is a serious criminal offence that covers a wide range of unwanted sexual contact.

The key elements that prosecutors must prove include intentional touching, that the touching was sexual in nature, that the complainant did not consent to the touching, and that you did not reasonably believe that the complainant consented. The law places emphasis on both the absence of actual consent and the absence of reasonable belief in consent.

Sexual touching is defined broadly and includes touching with any part of the body, with anything else, or through anything, including clothing. The touching can be of any part of the body and does not need to involve intimate areas to constitute sexual assault, though the context and circumstances will determine whether touching is considered sexual in nature.

The offence can occur in various contexts, including between strangers, acquaintances, friends, or within relationships. It can happen in public or private settings, and can involve a single incident or repeated behaviour over time.

What are the usual sentences for sexual assault?

Sexual assault is a serious offence that is typically tried in the Crown Court, though less serious cases may be dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court. The maximum sentence is 10 years imprisonment, reflecting the serious view that courts take of sexual offences.

However, not every sexual assault case results in the maximum sentence or immediate custody. Courts have various sentencing options available, including community orders, suspended sentences, and immediate imprisonment of varying lengths. Ultimately, the sentence imposed will depend on numerous factors including the specific circumstances of the offence, the impact on the victim, and your personal circumstances.

More serious cases involving sustained assault, use of force, vulnerable victims, or repeat offending are more likely to result in immediate prison sentences. For less serious cases involving brief touching without aggravating factors, first-time offenders, or where there are significant mitigating factors, courts may consider community-based sentences or suspended sentences.

What is a suspended sentence and how does it work?

A suspended sentence is a prison sentence that does not take effect immediately, but is “suspended” for between six months and two years, on average. During this suspension period, you remain in the community rather than going to prison, provided you comply with any conditions imposed by the court.

If you do not commit any further offences during this time, the prison sentence will be avoided. However, if you commit another offence or breach the conditions during the suspension period, you will likely be required to serve the original suspended sentence plus any penalty for the new offence.

A suspended sentence is to be seen both as a punishment and an opportunity, and as something that gives you the chance to demonstrate that you can comply with court orders and avoid further criminal behaviour.

Can sexual assault result in a suspended sentence?

Factors that might favour a suspended sentence include the offence being at the lower end of the scale in terms of seriousness, being a first-time offender with no previous convictions, showing genuine remorse and insight into your behaviour, having strong personal circumstances or support systems, and demonstrating that you are unlikely to reoffend. Cases involving brief touching without aggravating factors, where you have taken immediate steps to address your behaviour, or where there are exceptional personal circumstances may be more suitable for suspended sentences, for example.

On the other hand, previous convictions for sexual or violent offences, use of force or threats, targeting of vulnerable victims, sustained or repeated assault, or showing no remorse or insight into your behaviour make a suspended sentence very unlikely.

What factors do courts consider when deciding on a suspended sentence for sexual assault?

Courts consider numerous factors when deciding whether to impose a suspended sentence for sexual assault. The specific nature of the sexual touching is crucial, including the duration, the parts of the body involved, whether it was over or under clothing, and the level of force or coercion used.

The impact on the victim is a key consideration. Courts will consider victim impact statements detailing the psychological, emotional, and practical consequences of the assault. The vulnerability of the victim, including factors such as age, mental health, or other circumstances that may have made them particularly vulnerable, is also crucial.

The court will assess your likelihood of reoffending by considering your previous criminal history, any underlying issues such as mental health problems or substance abuse that may have contributed to the offending, and your willingness to engage with treatment or support programmes.

Furthermore, your attitude towards the offending is crucial. Courts will consider whether you have accepted responsibility for your actions, shown understanding of the impact on the victim, and demonstrated genuine remorse rather than simply regret at being caught.

How serious does the offence have to be for a prison sentence for sexual assault?

Given the serious nature of sexual assault, most cases will result in immediate prison sentences because the court will be satisfied that the offence is “so serious that neither a fine alone nor a community sentence can be justified” (Sentencing Code) and this threshold is usually met in sexual assault cases.

Cases that almost certainly warrant immediate prison sentences include those involving sustained assault, use of force or threats, targeting of vulnerable victims, previous convictions for sexual or violent offences, or where there are multiple victims. Sexual assault that involves significant planning or occurs in circumstances where the victim was particularly vulnerable will also result in immediate custody.

Examples of cases that might potentially avoid immediate prison include first-time offenders involved in brief touching without aggravating factors, cases where there are truly exceptional personal circumstances such as serious mental illness, or where there is compelling evidence of genuine remorse and low risk of reoffending. Such cases are rare.

What can I do to improve my chances of getting a suspended sentence for sexual assault?

Given the serious nature of these charges, it is absolutely vital that you seek expert legal advice immediately from solicitors with extensive experience in sexual offence cases. The complexity of sexual offence law and the severity of potential sentences require specialist knowledge and expertise.

If you accept responsibility for your actions, demonstrate genuine remorse and insight into your behaviour. This means showing complete understanding of the harm caused to the victim, expressing sincere regret, and being entirely honest about what happened. Courts can distinguish between genuine remorse and attempts to minimise responsibility.

Engage immediately with appropriate treatment or counselling services to address any underlying issues that may have contributed to your behaviour. This might include mental health treatment, substance abuse programmes, or specialised interventions for sexual offending behaviour. Evidence of genuine engagement with treatment can be a significant mitigating factor.

Be prepared to comply with stringent requirements that may be imposed as part of a suspended sentence, including registration requirements, treatment programmes, supervision, and restrictions on your activities or contact with certain individuals.

Understand that even if you receive a suspended sentence, there will be serious long-term consequences including registration on the Sex Offenders Register and potential impact on your employment and personal relationships.

Making efforts to prove that you have carried out these things can make a significant difference to your defence.

Where to get more help

Facing charges for a crime as serious as sexual assault can be life-changing, and you need a legal team on side that understands this and takes every action possible to help you. The team at Stuart Miller Solicitors have extensive experience working in this area and can help you compile your defence strategy and position yourself for the best outcome from day one. For a free non-judgemental consultation about your case, contact us today.

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