AARON WOOD RECEIVES CRIMINAL SENTENCE IN CITY FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT

Aaron Wood, a 21-year-old university student, has been charged with sexual assault following an incident involving a sleeping friend. The victim, who had invited Wood to her room to order food, recounted waking up to find him assaulting her with her clothes pulled down. Upon being confronted, Wood admitted, 'for some sick reason I put my hands on you,' and also confessed to taking a photo of her before deleting it. He later begged her not to involve the police, stating, 'Please don’t get the police involved, it was just touching, I never should have.' The victim’s detailed account of the emotional impact this had on her underscores the seriousness of the offense. Despite his remorse, Wood claimed he 'sobered up immediately' and expressed regret for his actions, saying, 'I think I sexually assaulted someone, I apologise, I feel so bad,' describing the night as blurry due to heavy drinking. In court, Judge Kate Cornell highlighted the victim's vulnerability, remarking, 'She felt violated but she also felt guilty at having to report you,' emphasizing that victims should never feel guilty for coming forward. Ultimately, Wood received a 12-month community order with 250 hours of unpaid work, a 15-day rehabilitation order, a five-year restraining order, and was required to register as a sex offender for five years.