Man from Melksham jailed for two years for sexual assault on teenager

A man from Melksham has been sentenced to two years in prison for sexual assault by touching, of a 15-year-old teenager.

Scott Davis, 39, of Portman Road, was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday (10/11), after being found guilty by a majority verdict during the trial at Salisbury Crown Court on September 13.

The offence took place in the early hours of New Year’s Day, 2022, after Davis spotted the girl walking alone.

She had left a New Year’s Eve party in Roundponds at around 5am and was heading to the other side of Melksham, when Davis offered to walk with her.

During the walk he grabbed the teenager’s hand tightly so that she was unable to pull away, grabbed her around the waist, forced himself onto her to kiss her and grabbed her bottom under her clothes.

Davis was also given a 10 year Sexual Harm Protection Order.

In a victim impact statement the teenager said: “The stress of this whole case has been unimaginable, as if it was never going to end. I can't even walk home sometimes without having to look over my shoulder, scaring myself into thinking of ways to protect myself .... I can't walk the same paths you (Davis) took me down. I have had countless sleepless nights, bad dreams, and flashbacks, because of what you did to me. You stripped a 15-year-old girl of her freedom, confidence, and self-esteem.”

Detective Constable Sarah Greenman, of the Child Internet Exploitation team at Wiltshire Police said: “This case was predatory in nature, with neither defendant or victim known to one another prior to the attack.

“I would like to thank the victim for her bravery in coming forwards and helping us to prosecute the defendant. He has denied the offence all along, refusing to take the stand during his trial in order to give evidence and/or be cross-examined.

“There were no first-hand witnesses in this case, and no CCTV or forensics, yet it still resulted in a conviction. If you are reading this, have experienced sexual violence and have yet to report it – I hope this gives you the confidence to do so. You will be listened to.”

You can find more information on our website: How to report rape and sexual assault | Wiltshire Police or you can call 999 in an emergency

If you don't want to go to the police, you could go to your local sexual assault referral centre (SARC).

The trained staff there can give you confidential medical help and advice. They can also gather evidence for you to use at a later date, if you decide to report the assault to the police. They won't contact the police unless you want them to.