EDWARD FELIX AND SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENSES IN DERBYSHIRE
A man named Edward Felix was recently convicted of a disturbing sexual assault that took place at a residence in Derbyshire, specifically in the Darley Abbey area.The incident occurred just three months after Felix was released from prison, where he had previously served time for similar offenses.
His latest actions involved taking advantage of a vulnerable situation to commit a crime of sexual nature against a woman who was at her home.
According to reports heard in Derby Crown Court, Felix, aged 39, exploited the circumstances at the house by sexually assaulting his victim inside one of her rooms.
The court heard that Felix had been released from prison in March 2018 after serving sentences related to voyeurism, sexual assault, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Yet, in a troubling pattern of behavior, within just three months of his release, he had reverted to the same unacceptable conduct.
The recent assault happened in June of the previous year, at a property located in Darley Abbey.
The victim, a woman suffering from anxiety, was present at the house after a number of people had gathered there who had returned from a night of drinking.
During this gathering, she began feeling unwell, and feeling ill, she sought refuge in a room where she undressed and got into bed to rest.
It was at this point that Felix entered the room, got under her covers, and started to engage in inappropriate physical contact.
The court outlined the sequence of Felix’s actions: he initially stroked her hair, then moved his hand upward toward her rib cage, and ultimately cupped her left breast.
The woman, feeling uncomfortable and unsure of his intentions, attempted to distance herself but was already in a distressing situation.
Felix continued to touch her, moving his hand down to her stomach and towards her genital area.
Concerned, the victim asked him what he was doing.
Instead of apologizing or stopping, Felix feigned sleep, showing a blatant disregard for her distress.
Distressed and wanting to leave, the woman decided to go to a friend’s house.
The day after the incident, Felix sent her a text message apologizing for his inappropriate conduct, stating, “I really am so sorry.” The woman’s statement to the court revealed the lasting impact of the assault.
She described feeling “jumpy and dirty” and now takes extra precautions, such as locking all the doors of her home when left alone, as a result of her trauma.
Felix's arrest followed his initial denial of any wrongdoing at the Darley Abbey house.
However, after further investigation, he admitted to the assault, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault, and faced sentencing in court.
Prosecutor Sarah Slater detailed that Felix had previously served a 22-month sentence in March 2017 for actions involving taking intimate photographs of a woman’s private parts and sharing those images with friends.
During the hearing, Felix’s defense argued that he was living with his parents and had recognized his issues, seeking help from Aquarius, a treatment center on London Road in Derby, which specializes in assisting individuals with alcohol and drug problems.
His legal representative emphasized that there was no premeditation or violence involved in the recent offense, and that her client was genuinely remorseful.
Despite these pleas for leniency, Judge Shaun Smith QC delivered a stern judgment.
He highlighted Felix’s failure to amend his behavior after previous convictions and noted the seriousness of the latest offense.
The judge sentenced Felix to 18 months in prison, emphasizing that the pattern of behavior warranted immediate custody.
Additionally, Felix was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subjected to a restraining order banning any form of contact with the victim, whether direct or indirect, for the next decade.
This case underscores the persistent danger posed by repeat offenders like Felix, and the importance of strict sentencing to protect vulnerable individuals from further harm in Derbyshire.
