A man convicted of “indecently abusing” a sleeping woman received the worst possible news.
A 27-year-old man was sentenced to five years and four months in prison for “indecently abusing” a woman in her home while she slept, according to reports.
The man, Richard, said he knew the woman was ill but did not know it could be HIV. He reportedly collapsed when told the news.
Richard said he had been drinking heavily on the night of the attack, as well as using cocaine and ecstasy at various points during the evening. He said he could not recall much from the attack but believed the woman’s story.
Police say Richard let himself into the woman’s home uninvited and went into the bedroom, where he then assaulted her as she slept. The woman had taken a sleeping tablet and awoke to find Richard ra-ing her.
“She froze, and no words were exchanged,” said prosecutor Harry. “He pulled up his shorts and left.”
The lawyer for Richard, Virginia, said that her client was unsure of the events of the night but told her that the woman “would not lie; she tells the truth. If she says I have done it, I have done it,” according to news sources. It was not immediately clear whether Richard knew his victim before the assault.
Judge Mark, presiding over the case, ordered that Richard be sentenced to five years and four months, as well as giving him a permanent listing on the Se* Offenders Register for the “dreadful offense.”
Virginia described Richard as agonizing over the night’s events. Richard has previous convictions, but none for se-ual assault or ra-e.
“[Richard] is remorseful and cannot understand why he did it, and it is troubling him,” Virginia said. She also noted that he has a long history with drugs and alcohol, having started using cannabis at age 9 and drinking by age 11. Richard also said he was addicted to cocaine and ecstasy at age 13 and received treatment for the addictions during his teenage years.
Richard was set to find out the results of the HIV test shortly after being notified of the possibility. It was not clear if Richard had contracted the disease.
Virginia offered little consolation to her client in the meantime.
“This [HIV test] has been hanging over his head,” she said. “It’s his own fault. If he hadn’t committed this offense, he would not have placed himself in this position.”
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