A Swindon woman sexually assaulted a female good Samaritan who offered to see her safely on the train home.
Jodie Tucker, 26, of Hathaway Road, Upper Stratton, admitted a charge of sexual assault when she appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Monday, 23rd May 2022.
Sexual assault is an offence under section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It is an either way offence with a maximum penalty of 10 years' custody on conviction on indictment; 52 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.
The court heard that the worried complainant approached a very inebriated Tucker at Didcot Parkway railway station.
Concerned about Tucker's welfare, the woman escorted her onto the train and sat alongside for the 30 mile journey back towards Swindon.
Tom Power, prosecuting, described how Tucker placed her hand on the woman's knee, before sliding it slowly up her inner thigh and onto her genital area.
Shocked at Tucker's actions, the woman told her to stop. The 26-year-old, whose LinkedIn profile gives her occupation as an HR and Talent advisor, continued regardless, placing her hand back onto the woman's lap and touching her inner thigh for a second time.
Reading the complainant's victim personal statement, Mr Power told the court that she had suffered sleepless nights, mood swings and stress-induced hair loss as a result of the assault.
She added that her mental health had affected her university studies and she was undergoing counselling.
Mike Davis, mitigating, told the court that his client had acted out of character as a result of being "very, very drunk".
"She never disputed the incident" and accepted that the complainant "was only trying to do the decent thing", he said.
District Judge Joanna Dickens, presiding, described the offence as serious, noting that it happened on public transport when the complainant would have felt trapped.
Addressing Tucker, the Judge said: "I accept you were very very drunk, but it's not really an excuse - you chose to buy it, you chose to drink it".
"It is unusual for sexual offences to be committed by women against women", she remarked, adding: "I'm pretty confident this is going to be an isolated incident".
Tucker was handed an 11-month community order, with a requirement that she completes up to 30 days' rehabilitation activity.
She was also fined £200 and ordered to pay £400 compensation, £85 towards prosecution costs and £95 surcharge.
What a thoroughly unpleasant offence.
If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times - you should never drink on an empty head.
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