The victim was left scared and unable to sleep
Sex offender Michael Foster(Image: Hull Live)
A woman was left “scared” and struggling to sleep properly after she was sexually assaulted. She was left distraught and upset by what happened and she did not know what to do for the best.
Michael Foster had previous convictions for sexual offences but he made admissions to the police after being arrested, Hull Crown Court heard. Foster, 58, of Bodmin Road, Bransholme, Hull, admitted sexually assaulting the woman.
Michael Masson, prosecuting, said that Foster intimately touched the woman under her clothes. During police interview, he accepted touching her.
The woman later said that she had been left upset and she felt scared by what happened. “She couldn’t sleep properly afterwards and she was thinking about what to do,” said Mr Masson.
“She was scared to tell people about it. She didn’t know whether to report him or to keep it to herself. Since this happened, she has been struggling with things and questioning why he had done this to her.”
Foster had convictions for 14 previous offences, dating back to the 1990s. In 1992, he had been convicted of three offences of indecently assaulting a girl.
Frances Pencheon, mitigating, said Foster pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and he gave an account during police interview. “His risk could be managed in the community,” said Miss Pencheon.
“He is willing and able to work with the probation service.” Foster had suffered difficulties and there had been no further offences. There had been a delay in the case being brought to court.
Recorder David Kelly said the woman was vulnerable at the time.
Foster was given a 10-month suspended prison sentence and 30 days’ rehabilitation. He will have to register as a sex offender for 10 years and he was ordered to pay a £149 victims’ surcharge.