A "sexist" man sexually assaulted a stranger by trapping her and groping her before trying to forcibly kiss her. After being told repeatedly to stop he told the victim: "We're all alone here baby."
Leighton Davies, 54, assaulted the woman on one occasion in Mountain Ash after he approached her without warning and began paying her unwanted attention. It culminated in him grabbing her after she tried to make her escape.
A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard the victim considered taking her own life after the assault triggered memories of sexual abuse she suffered as a child. She told the court: "My depression deepened and I began to question whether life was worth living or not. A childhood trauma I had long left in the past together with this sexual assault became all too consuming."
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The assault began after Davies pressed his crotch up against the victim and slapped her on the bottom before groping her vagina over clothing. When she asked him to stop he continued to pester her and said: "Sorry baby, I didn't mean it." He then tried to kiss her and said: "We're all alone now baby." The defendant continued his unwanted sexual advances and when she tried to leave he grabbed her by both wrists and said: "Stay with me for a bit of company" and tried to kiss her again.
The victim contacted the police and Davies, of Bryntaf, Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil, later pleaded guilty to sexual assault. The court heard he had one previous conviction for handling stolen goods from 1986.
In a harrowing victim personal statement, the victim recounted the impact the sexual assault had caused, describing it as a "horror farce" and the triggering of her childhood abuse. She said: "I was in shock at Mr Davies' initial actions and when he continued to pursue me I became frightened…. I felt trapped, scared, violated, intimidated, and in significant threat.
"Every time his large frame lunged over me to kiss me it took me right back to being a terrified child… When he grabbed my arms, asking me if I was sure I didn't want to keep him company, this triggered me being [a child], struggling to get out of being physically held whilst being intimately groped and my mouth smothered with somebody else’s face and mouth. I began to feel physically sick, panicky, and desperately needed to get home.
"I couldn't believe what had happened and sat there for a good few hours in shock. I found myself trying to find reasons why Mr Davies had done this to me. That night my thoughts spiralled from here back to being a helpless child and reliving both events over and over….
"Within days I contacted my doctor because of my increased anxiety levels for help. My doctor shuffled some of my medications around to try and help…. I began sinking into a very dark and deep depression. It was at this point I began to receive counselling. Unfortunately we couldn't talk about what happened to me in case it went to court. My depression deepened and I began to question whether life was worth living or not. A childhood trauma I had long left in the past together with this sexual assault became all too consuming.
"In a very dark moment I decided I couldn't cope with the constant replays in my head, the not sleeping… I reached out to the crisis team and my GP because I was in crisis – I no longer wanted to be here. I had a very clear plan on how this would pan out.
"I was quickly seen by a senior psychiatrist and psychologist. They assured me I wasn't going mad – my mind and body were reacting to significant traumatic events. They quickly put in place therapeutic help together with that which I was already receiving. The events continue to have a significant effect on my daily life…. I've not yet come to terms with what happened – it continues to haunt me and at times takes me to a very dark place.
Useful numbers for dealing with your mental health
There's help available if you need it:
Mind Cymru infoline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. To contact them call 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (in the UK and Republic of Ireland this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
C.A.L.L. (Community Advice & Listening Line) offers emotional support and information/literature on mental health and related matters to the people of Wales and can be contacted on 0800 132 737 or through the website.
The NHS offers help and advice through its 111 service.
