Melksham man jailed for assaulting teen after NYE party
- Published
Davis' victim said she can no longer walk down the same paths he led her down
A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a teenager.
Scott Davis, 39, of Melksham, Wiltshire, forced himself on the girl, 15, as she walked home in the early hours of New Year's Day 2022.
In a victim impact statement, she said: "You stripped a 15-year-old girl of her freedom."
Davis, of Portman Road, was sentenced to two years in prison for sexual assault by touching and given a 10 year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
He refused to take the stand during his trial at Salisbury Crown Court in order to give evidence and/or be cross-examined.
During his trial, the court was told Davis spotted the girl walking alone after a New Year's Eve party in Roundponds at around 05:00 GMT.
She was heading to the other side of Melksham and Davis offered to walk with her.
Along the way he grabbed her hand tightly so 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.
In her statement, the victim said the stress of the case had been "unimaginable, as if it was never going to end".
'Sleepless nights'
She added: "I can't even walk home sometimes without having to look over my shoulder, scaring myself into thinking of ways to protect myself.
"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."
Det Con Sarah Greenman, of the Child Internet Exploitation team at Wiltshire Police described the attack as "predatory".
Victim's bravery
She said: "There were no first-hand witnesses in this case, and no CCTV or forensics, yet it still resulted in a conviction.
"I would like to thank the victim for her bravery in coming forwards and helping us to prosecute the defendant."
She added: "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."
Follow BBC West on Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk