Paignton drug addict kicked in door and sexually assaulted woman.

Prolific Criminal Jailed for 10 Years for Sexual Assault

A prolific criminal from South Devon, Royston White, also known as Southhall, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her home.

Exeter Crown Court heard that White broke down the woman's door and armed himself with knives before the terrifying assault. He demanded she provide her PIN number so he could withdraw cash to buy drugs.

The victim complied, writing down her PIN for White, who then sexually assaulted her. When police apprehended White, he threatened to slit the woman's throat.

The 40-year-old defendant, from Church Street, Paignton, was found guilty at a trial in April of assault by penetration, blackmail, and possessing ketamine. He also admitted to possessing two knives in a public place.

White refused to attend most of the trial and remained in his cell for the sentencing on Monday. The court was informed that he was studying Buddhism in prison.

Recorder Martin Meeke QC stated that White had a lengthy criminal history with 61 previous court appearances, primarily for dishonesty offenses but also some violence. He considered imposing an extended sentence but decided against it, concluding that White did not pose a significant danger to the public.

"The defendant has been a drug addict for many years," said Recorder Meeke. "He stated during the trial that it would be easier to list the drugs he hadn't taken rather than those he had. At its worst, he had a drug habit costing £300 a day."

The trial revealed that White regularly stole to fund his addiction. He admitted to behaving erratically if he didn't get what he wanted.

Mr William Parkhill, representing White, argued that his client was an intelligent man whose judgment was clouded by drugs. He could not recall the sexual assault.

Following the sentencing, South Devon police commander Ch Supt Keith Perkin tweeted: "Due to an excellent investigation from the South Devon Sexual Offences & Domestic Abuse Team, Royston Southall has been sentenced to 10yrs imprisonment. This was not an easy investigation and outcome, a credit to the investigators."