Oliver Hough, a 30-year-old man, was suspended from his job after being arrested and charged with sexual assault.

Leeds Crown Court heard that Hough had groped a man he was sleeping next to following a New Year's party in Hertfordshire in 2020. The victim repeatedly told Hough to stop and pushed him away.

Hough later apologized to the man over Snapchat, and the police were not called at that time. However, on January 14 of this year, after a night out in Leeds, a group of friends stayed at Hough's home. During the night, one of the men awoke to find his underwear pulled down and Hough performing sex acts on him.

Prosecutor Nick Adlington stated that the victim pretended to be asleep. Hough was detained by others when his actions became apparent, and the police were called. He refused to answer questions during the police interview, but his saliva was found on the victim.

It later came to light that Hough had previously committed a similar assault three years earlier. Hough admitted to three counts of sexual assault and one count of digital penetration.

Defense attorney Lee Marklew KC argued that Hough had already been punished by losing his job and facing the shame of the situation. He stated that Hough had suffered from severe depression since his arrest and had moved back to the Midlands with his family.

Mr. Marklew expressed concern about Hough's safety in custody as a gay man, citing deep-seated fears about his treatment. Judge Simon Phillips KC sentenced Hough to 43 months in prison and placed him on the sex offender register for life.

The Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service website indicates that Hough is currently under interim suspension from his job.