MICHAEL WEBBER FROM NEWPORT SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SUSPENDED SENTENCE BREACH
In a case that has raised serious concerns about the management of sex offenders, Michael Webber, an 18-year-old resident of Harlequin Court in Newport, was sentenced to prison after committing a sexual assault and breaching his suspended sentence within just six weeks of its approval.The incident occurred on April 12 in Newport, when Webber approached a woman he did not know while she was walking along a street.
According to court proceedings, the victim was ascending the steps of an underpass when she heard Webber whistling at her.
She then noticed that he was following her, which caused her to feel increasingly uneasy.
As she reached the top of the underpass, she was suddenly struck with a forceful slap across her bottom.
Shocked, she turned around and saw Webber, who had been following her.
Despite the assault, the victim reported feeling more surprised than frightened at the moment.
Webber was quickly apprehended by authorities and readily admitted to the offence.
During police interviews, he explained that he committed the assault because he was overwhelmed by an uncontrollable urge.
He expressed awareness of his problematic behavior and stated that he felt he needed professional help to manage his impulses, acknowledging that he could potentially offend again if left untreated.
The court was informed that at the time of the assault, Webber was in breach of a 16-month detention order previously imposed for a sexual assault conviction.
This breach was a significant aggravating factor in his sentencing.
Prosecutor David Pugh detailed the impact on the victim, noting her ongoing anxiety and fear that she might be attacked again, especially when walking behind others in public spaces.
The court also heard from Webber’s defense attorney, Harry Baker, who emphasized that Webber was still a young man grappling with a substantial personal problem and that he recognized the severity of his issues.
Judge Philip Richards sentenced Webber to six months in a young offenders’ institution for the assault.
Additionally, he received a 16-month sentence for breaching his suspended sentence, bringing the total incarceration period to 22 months.
Upon release, Webber will be subject to an extended licence period of four years and was ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge as part of his punishment.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about the supervision and rehabilitation of offenders in Newport, raising questions about the effectiveness of current measures to prevent reoffending and protect the public.
