Pensioner Found Guilty of Sexual Assault After Taking Drugs

A 72-year-old pensioner, Huw Thomas, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman while she was asleep after consuming cocaine and cannabis. The incident occurred in 2020 at a house in Penarth.

According to evidence presented in court, Thomas attended the house where he consumed alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis. He then entered a bedroom where the victim, a young woman, was sleeping. He proceeded to sexually assault her.

The victim woke to find herself naked and Thomas touching her. She subsequently reported the incident to the police, leading to Thomas' arrest. However, he maintained his innocence, claiming that the woman was awake and consented to the sexual acts.

During his police interview, Thomas admitted to digitally penetrating the victim, an act she was unaware of at the time. Despite his claims of innocence at trial, he was found guilty of both sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault.

Sentencing Thomas to two years imprisonment, Recorder John Philpotts stated, "The jury convicted you of two serious sexual offences against a young female. You drank alcohol, took cocaine and smoked cannabis. You entered a bedroom occupied by your victim. She awoke to find you touching her vagina as she lay naked in bed. You also, unbeknownst to her, digitally penetrated her."

"She reported the matter to police and you were arrested. In your interview by police, you claimed that what you had done was with the consent and the instigation of your victim. You maintained that account at trial but the jury rejected it and from reading the pre-sentence it's clear you still refuse to accept your guilt."

The court noted that Thomas had prior convictions, though none related to sexual offenses. In mitigation, defense barrister Susan Ferrier described Thomas as "decent, honest, polite, helpful and a man of conviction" by those who knew him. She acknowledged that at the time of the offense, Thomas was depressed and struggling with alcohol addiction. Ms Ferrier stated, "He maintains his position it was his belief she was awake but the jury rejected this."

She characterized the offense as "opportunistic" and described Thomas as a "family man." In addition to the two-year prison sentence, Thomas was placed on the sex offender register for 10 years.