Gloucestershire: Man who sexually assaulted sleeping woman jailed

Braun was sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment and told he must serve half before being released on licence

A man who sexually assaulted a woman while she slept has been jailed.

David Braun, 53, from Taunton, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for attacking the woman at Tudor Farmhouse Hotel in Clearwell, near Coleford, in December 2021.

The victim's personal statement, which was read by the judge, detailed how her world had been "torn apart".

During sentencing on Friday, Gloucester Crown Court was told Braun had shown no remorse for his actions.

Prosecutor David Scutt said Braun and the woman met up on Christmas Eve at the hotel and then spent Christmas Day together and were drinking alcohol.

"The woman cannot remember going to bed that night, but a member of hotel staff recalls that she was unsteady on her feet as they retired for the evening," Mr Scutt said.

Judge Ian Lawrie KC told Braun that night he "took advantage of the woman's drunken, semi-comatose state", adding that his offence "clearly shows that you had scant regard or had any respect for your victim."

'Appalling'

Detective Constable Tom Newrick said the victim had been "extremely brave throughout the investigation, working with us and giving evidence in court".

"Braun violated the victim when she was at her most vulnerable and his actions are appalling."

He said he hoped the outcome showed that cases of this nature would be dealt with robustly and with the utmost seriousness.

Jill Macnamara of the Crown Prosecution Service said they were very pleased to deliver justice for the victim.

"We want every victim of sexual assault to have the confidence to come forward to report abuse in the knowledge that support is available and that the police and Crown Prosecution Service are committed to securing justice."

Judge Lawrie KC said he had considered statements about Braun's character in mitigation, with his defence telling the court he would "regret this for the rest of his life".

Braun will be on the sex offenders registration for life.