A man who sexually assaulted a woman in Bournemouth while she slept has had his sentence increased following the intervention of the Solicitor General, The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP.
Darren Shaw, 35, sexually assaulted the victim in January 2019.
Following a night out, the victim returned to her home with some friends and her boyfriend, as well as the offender, a friend of the victim’s boyfriend. In the early hours of morning, while the victim slept, the offender sexually assaulted her. As the victim began to wake up, the offender told her that she had imagined it all and to go back to sleep.
Shaw pleaded guilty to one count of assault by penetration. On 22 March 2021, at Bournemouth Crown Court Shaw was sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment.
Following a referral to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme by the Solicitor General, on 26 May the Court found the sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 3 years 9 months’ imprisonment.
After the hearing at the Court of Appeal, the Solicitor General, The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP, said:
“Alcohol and drug use is no excuse for the actions of the offender, who tried to convince the victim that there had been no wrong doing on his part after he violated her in her own home. I am pleased that the Court of Appeal increased the sentence today. I hope this brings the victim some comfort.”