LEEDS ENGINEER LIAM WIGNALL SEXUALLY ASSAULTS 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN BRADFORD HOUSE
In a disturbing case that unfolded in Bradford, an engineer from Leeds named Liam Wignall, aged 44, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in March 2017.The incident occurred at a residence in Bradford where Wignall, under the influence of a potent mixture of alcohol, cocaine, and anti-depressants, engaged in inappropriate and criminal behavior towards the sleeping teenager.
According to court proceedings, Wignall entered the girl’s bedroom while she was asleep and proceeded to molest her.
The court heard that he groped her and squeezed her breasts, actions that constitute serious sexual assault.
Wignall later claimed that he had no memory of the event, stating that he was “out of his head” due to the substances he had consumed that night.
He expressed feelings of shame and disgust when speaking to police, acknowledging his remorse for the incident.
At the time of the assault, Wignall was residing on Wesley Road in Armley, Leeds.
He pleaded guilty to a single count of sexual assault on the day of his trial, which was held at Bradford Crown Court.
The court was informed that the girl, who was staying at the house, had gone to bed around 11 pm.
She was later awakened by Wignall’s inappropriate actions and confronted him, demanding to know what he was doing.
Witnesses noted that Wignall appeared very intoxicated and repeatedly apologized for his behavior.
The following day, the girl confided in a schoolteacher about the incident, prompting immediate police involvement.
During police interviews, Wignall admitted to having consumed alcohol, cocaine, and anti-depressants on the night of the assault, which he claimed impaired his memory of the events.
In her victim personal statement, the teenage girl described the profound impact the assault had on her mental health.
She revealed that she had become upset and panicked, leading to a diagnosis of anxiety.
Her sense of discomfort around men increased, and she eventually decided to withdraw from a college course she was enrolled in, illustrating the lasting emotional scars caused by the incident.
Wignall’s defense lawyer, Christine Egerton, emphasized that her client had no recollection of the assault but acknowledged that he felt remorseful.
She highlighted that Wignall was a hardworking individual with no prior convictions and described him as “distraught and devastated” by what had happened.
The court was also informed that Wignall had since ceased all substance abuse, limiting his drinking to weekends, and had voluntarily attended counseling sessions to address his drug and alcohol issues.
Judge Colin Burn addressed the court, noting that Wignall’s intoxication at the time of the assault rendered him unable to remember his actions.
He described this as an aggravating factor, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense.
The judge acknowledged Wignall’s remorse and his role as an engineer who traveled across the country repairing mobility aids for those in need.
Despite his remorse, the court imposed a sentence of 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Additionally, Wignall was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and participate in a rehabilitation activity program for up to 50 days.
Furthermore, Wignall was mandated to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a restraining order that prohibited any contact with the victim.
The court’s decision reflects the gravity of the crime and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from such predatory behavior.
