David Prout, who was running a Newcastle pub at the time and had a taxi licence, has been jailed after leaving the woman curled on floor crying hysterically
David Prout, jailed for sexual assault
A former pub boss has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman who ended up curled on the floor crying hysterically. David Prout, who ran a pub in Byker, Newcastle, at the time and also had a taxi licence, made unwanted advances to the victim and ignored her pleas to stop.
He kissed her despite her telling him not to then groped her chest, including under her bra. Jessica Slaughter, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court he ignored her attempts to get him off and kept pushing her back where she was sitting. She added: “He repeatedly put his hand over her mouth and said ‘shhhh’.
“She tried to run from him but he grabbed her. She was crying hysterically and ended up in a curled position on the floor telling him to leave her alone.”
The woman’s partner then came upon the scene and phoned the police. In a victim impact statement, the woman said: “The assault has had a long-lasting impact on my day-to-day life and it left me in emotional turmoil.” She added that she has been left feeling anxious and has flashbacks.
Prout, 47, of Bothal Street, Byker, who claimed there had been consensual sexual activity, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and was cleared of a third offence.
Jailing him for 21 months, Judge Gavin Doig paid tribute to the courage of the victim. Prout will have to sign the sex offenders register for ten years and was given a ten-year restraining order.
Kelly Clarke, defending, said: “He continues to insist on his innocence but it’s important to acknowledge a jury found him guilty after trial.” Miss Clarke said Prout had the pub for six years and also had a taxi licence but has lost that because of the sexual assault and has been unemployed of late and looking after his young child while his partner works.
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