PATRICK SULLIVAN JAILED IN WIDNES FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ASSAULT OCCASIONING BODILY HARM
A dangerous sex offender, Patrick Sullivan of Cleveleys Avenue in Widnes, was convicted of a serious sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm after following a 21-year-old woman from her workplace and attacking her late at night.The incident occurred shortly after midnight on January 26 on Cross Street.
Sullivan, who had been drinking at the bar where his victim was employed, accused of strangling and punching her following the assault.
Sullivan, a father of four, had admitted to assault occasioning actual bodily harm but denied any sexual motive.
However, a court trial found him guilty of intending to commit a sexual offence.
During sentencing, Judge Andrew Hatton described the attack as a nightmare for the victim.
He stated, "This is a young woman's worst nightmare.
She was alone late at night in a quiet, secluded location and became concerned that she was being followed.
She deliberately crossed the road twice to verify if she was being followed, and you matched her every move.
She was then attacked from behind, strangled with your arm, and wrestled to the ground.
Further violence followed, including punches to her face." The judge emphasized that Sullivan’s actions showed clear intent to commit a sexual offence.
"Your interest was not in her money or phone, which she offered to stop the assault, nor in her upper body or breasts.
Your hands went straight to her jeans.
You intended to commit either rape or another serious sexual offence," he said.
The court heard that due to heavy snowfall that evening, a colleague who was supposed to give the victim a lift home was hesitant to drive.
Judge Hatton explained, "Within moments of parting from her work colleague, the victim turned onto a quiet residential road.
She was then strangled from behind and subjected to an assault that caused actual bodily harm." During the attack, Sullivan fled after being disturbed, but he was quickly chased by a man and police were summoned.
Examining the investigation, Judge Hatton said, "Old-fashioned detective work led to your arrest.
If it hadn't been for footprints in the snow, you might never have been detained." Patrick Sullivan, 52, was sentenced to four years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on August 21.
He will serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for release, after which he will remain on license for six years.
Additionally, he will be registered on the sex offenders' register for life.
Judge Hatton concluded, "You attempted to justify your actions by claiming you were just 'messing about,' which I agree the jury rightly dismissed.
I acknowledge you were drinking, but I do not accept you were so intoxicated as to be unable to control yourself.
The kick you dealt to the young woman as you left was an act of frustration because your plans to sexually assault her were thwarted." He added that the extended license was necessary to protect the public from Sullivan, deeming him an extremely dangerous sexual predator.
