OLIVER SMAIL AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN AYLESBURY AND LONDON

A 31-year-old architect named Oliver Smail, who hails from Aylesbury, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a woman during a night of heavy drinking and drug use in London. The incident, which occurred in a two-bedroom apartment in Walworth, has garnered significant media attention and highlights the severity of misconduct that can occur amidst intoxication.

The victim, a 29-year-old woman whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, had met Smail during an all-day social event involving excessive alcohol consumption. The evening’s activities began at Dalston’s popular Jones & Sons, a bar famous for offering an 'Off The Wagon' brunch where patrons can indulge in unlimited Prosecco for two hours. The woman was celebrating her birthday with two female friends and joined Smail’s group of friends—Tom Madden and Alexander Hodgson-Doughty—who are known to her from the University of Kent. Together, they consumed cocktails at different bars, snorted cocaine, and she also took an ecstasy pill, which she admits to remembering with little clarity as the evening progressed.

Following the drinks and drug use, the group traveled by minicab to Elephant & Castle. Their initial plan was to go to the Ministry of Sound nightclub, but they changed course by purchasing a bottle of gin, which they drank at Hodgson-Doughty’s flat instead. As the night wore on, the victim and Smail continued drinking, with the woman describing her experience as intoxicated and unaware of Smail’s actions during the late hours.

During the trial, the woman recounted that she was lying on the sofa and had fallen asleep after a night of heavy drinking. She explained that she awoke to find Smail allegedly touching her inappropriately and with his fingers inside her, after he had pulled down her underwear. She described feeling his hand between her legs and recalled kicking him off when she became aware of what was happening. The woman added that she remembered her underwear and Spanx shorts around her knees when she woke up the next morning, and she felt his hand acting against her despite her unconscious state.

Throughout the investigation and court proceedings, the woman detailed her memory of the incident, asserting she was asleep and had no awareness of Smail’s actions at the time. She explained that she noticed his behavior because of the way he was touching her and confirmed that he appeared highly intoxicated and under the influence of drugs. She also stated that Smail attempted to deny any wrongdoing, claiming he was merely rubbing her leg after waking to find her in close proximity, and insisted he did not intend any sexual act.

The court heard that Smail, a former Planning Support Officer with Aylesbury Vale District Council and now a business owner running his own design firm, admitted to having been drinking and using cocaine during the night. He insisted that he was not attracted to the victim and only moved to sleep on the sofa, having no intention of assaulting her. Smail claimed he was confused when he woke up and felt her leg against his crotch, describing his reaction as instinctive and non-sexual—merely a reaction to being woken up.

The evidence also revealed that Smail attempted to leave the flat after the incident when questioned by the victim’s friend. Contrary to his claims of innocence, the police charged him over two years later, following delays in prosecution. When questioned, he stated it was distressing to be under investigation but maintained he would never do anything without consent. He described his confusion during the incident and said he believed he was sleeping peacefully in the flat instead of engaging in any assault.

The victim expressed her profound suffering following the event, sharing a victim impact statement that highlighted her ongoing mental health struggles, including panic attacks, sleep issues, and night terrors. She emphasized the vulnerability she had been in at the time, being asleep and unable to defend herself, and felt that Smail's actions stemmed from an ego hurt by her earlier rejection.

In his defense, Smail’s legal representative, KC Chris Henley, conveyed remorse and empathy for the woman, emphasizing the difficulties the defendant has faced since the incident. The lawyer described Smail as a man who regrets his actions, which do not reflect his character, noting that he has worked hard to rebuild his life but has found it challenging due to the public shame and mental health issues brought about by the case. Smail has since been placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Judge Benedict Kelleher, presiding over the case, highlighted the brief but serious nature of the offense. He acknowledged that Smail was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time and that the assault was neither planned nor prolonged. Still, the judge underscored the importance of vulnerable victims, especially when found asleep and unable to consent. In passing sentence, the judge stressed that the defendant was a man of good character before this incident and that his remorse was genuine. However, he made it clear that such conduct, especially when the victim was unaware, warranted significant punishment to uphold justice and deter similar behavior.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of intoxicated or uninhibited behavior and the importance of respecting consent at all times.