Rishton man who sexually assaulted woman jailed (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rishton man who sexually assaulted woman jailed

9:00pm Tuesday 27th September 2011 in Rishton By Sam Chadderton, Reporter

JAILED Gordon Walker

A FATHER-OF-TWO who sexually assaulted and beat up a woman has been locked up for 21 months.

Drug user Gordon Walker, 38, who had almost 50 previous convictions and a record for violence, tried to blame the victim when he was arrested, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The hearing was told Walker had thrown the woman to the floor, causing her to hit her face and shoulders. He was also said to have head butted her, put his hands around her neck and squeezed until she passed out.

The victim tried to get up, but the defendant kicked out and punched her. The woman, who had been left with injuries and went to hospital, was to tell police the violence had been ferocious. Walker was arrested and tried to put the blame on the victim.

The defendant, of Stourton Road, Rishton, had admitted sexual assault and three charges of assault causing actual bodily harm. Walker, who had originally been charged with rape and false imprisonment, was put on the sex offenders' register for 10 years. He had 47 previous convictions.

Mark Stuart, for Walker, said he accepted he had behaved badly. On occasions, he had taken drink and drugs, but had now almost managed to rid himself of methadone.

The barrister said:" He can only apologise for what he has done. He shouldn't have behaved as he did."

Judge Beverley Lunt told the defendant his conduct must be punished by immediate imprisonment.

She told Walker: "You must clearly understand that any future behaviour like this and you are just going to go to prison for a very long time."