Man admits to sexual assault (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Man admits to sexual assault

A MAN from Ghana sexually assaulted a woman with learning difficulties after telling her he was new to the country and keen to make friends.

Kwaku Donkor, 34, of Prospect Hill, Old Town, pleaded guilty to sexual assault on a female over the age of 16 at Swindon Magistrates' Court.

The court heard that Donkor approached the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, on Victoria Road, on Wednesday, June 15.

He got off the bike he was riding and started talking to her.

Prosecuting, Becky Abbott said: "The victim is a vulnerable adult.

"He started talking to her saying he was new to the country and trying to make new friends. "The victim thought that the defendant seemed genuine.

"He then suggested that he show her his home. As I say, this is a victim with learning difficulties."

The woman went with Donkor to his home where he gave her a drink and told her he could get her a job with the same temping agency he was working for.

The court heard how Donkor then grabbed the woman and sexually assaulted her.

Throughout the ordeal the victim was shouting at him to stop and she made a number of attempts to escape. But each time she tried to get away, Donkor threw her down on to his bed.

Ms Abbott said: "The victim at this stage was shouting for him to stop. She managed to leave the room and she was crying. He told her not to cry."

After fleeing his house, the woman ran into town where she bumped into a friend and then went to police.

Defending, Sam Arif said that Donkor, who needed an interpreter in court, had not clearly understood the women's protests.

Ms Arif said: "He does accept that she pushed him away and he misunderstood her 'no'.

"He has expressed remorse and he is extremely embarrassed about the situation he finds himself in.

"He has found the whole ordeal quite difficult to cope with."

But magistrates decided the offence was so serious that it must go to the crown court for Donkor to be sentenced.

Chairwoman of the bench Jane Flew told him: "We have listened very carefully to what we have been told and taken into account what your solicitor has said on your behalf.

"We have decided that this offence is so serious that you should receive greater punishment than you can receive in this court."

Donkor was remanded in custody until a date can be fixed for his appearance at Swindon Crown Court.

Gareth Bethell