"I was scared he would not give up" - Calne man sentenced for sexual assault

A man from Calne has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for sexual assault.

Adam Gregory, 32, of Finch Lane, was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates Court on February 24 after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.

On October 2, 2023, Gregory assaulted his victim by touching her in an intimate area without her consent while her children were in the house, which was recorded on her phone.

Gregory was sentenced to 12 months in prison, has been made the subject of a restraining order for 16 years, required to register with the police in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for 10 years, and ordered to pay a surcharge of £187.

In a statement read out in court his victim said, "I was worried he was going to flip out because I was not giving him what he wanted. I was scared he would not give up."

Local Crime Investigator Amanda Southey said, "Everyone has the right to feel safe in their community and even more so in their home.

"Sexual assaults can have a long-lasting negative effect on a victim’s well-being and feelings of safety. Furthermore, future relationships can be difficult to build due to a lack of trust.

"This sexual assault took place in the victim’s own home whilst her children were in the property. The victim not only had her own feelings and safety to consider but also that of her children too. She was unable to call out and defend herself for fear of drawing the children's attention.

"I want to thank the victim for their bravery at coming forward to report the offence and even more so for supporting a prosecution and staying with us throughout the legal process. The victim is now safeguarded for the next 16 years by a Restraining Order, meaning she will not have to face her perpetrator again until her children are adults.

"If you have been a victim of sexual assault, I urge you to report the offence to the police and/or a support agency. You will be listened to, treated with respect, and you will be in control of how you wish to proceed."

If you think you have been the victim of a sexual assault, we are here to support you. There's no right way to feel or act if you've been raped or sexually assaulted. What you do is up to you. But here are some things you might want to do or think about first.

• Make sure you are safe
• Get help and support - you can find support agencies here
• If the incident happened recently, it may be possible to collect forensic evidence that could help the case. Forensic evidence means something that the offender might have left behind that could help us prove what happened. It's always your choice whether to report it to the police. But if you're not sure, you can keep your options open by protecting forensic evidence. More about forensic evidence in rape and sexual assault

• If you're worried about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy, find sexual health services via the NHS.
• We know deciding to report rape and sexual assault can be difficult. What to do is always your choice. We've put together some information that might help you decide whether reporting is right for you.

* This press release has been issued with the support of the victim