Eccleshall man jailed for sexual assault

A man from Eccleshall has today (Friday 16 April) been sentenced to five years in jail for sexual assaulting a woman in Stoke-on-Trent in August 2018.

Ashley Attwood, aged 51, pleaded guilty at the start of his trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

The court heard that Attwood had attended a barbecue in Stoke-on-Trent on 18 August 2018 where numerous people were present.

Instead of going back to Eccleshall, Attwood went to have drinks at a house in Trentham. He was drinking with a man at the property.

At around 3:20am, the victim was woken from her sleep upstairs at the property. She was sexually assaulted and, as she stirred saw Attwood, who was not wearing trousers, run from the bedroom.

Attwood was told to leave. He later messaged the man he’d been drinking with about the incident.

Following arrest Attwood’s phone was seized and, when forensically examined, it was found that 11 images of the victim had been deleted.

Detective Constable Jennie Holland, of Staffordshire Police, said: “This was a very distressing incident as the victim was woken from sleep as she was assaulted. I’m glad she had the confidence and courage to come forward with evidence so we could bring this case before the courts. 

“We will always do whatever it takes to bring offenders to justice, while ensuring victims and their families are offered the support they need.”

Attwood will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Anyone who has suffered sexual abuse, or suspects others may be subject to sexual abuse, is urged to contact Staffordshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through www.crimestoppers-uk.org.