SAMTEX WANGCHUCK'S NIGHTMARE IN NEWCASTLE: SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULT ON YORK WOMAN CAUGHT ON CAMERA
A young man named Samtex Wangchuck, aged 21, has been sentenced to prison after a disturbing incident that took place in York city centre, with the offender hailing from Newcastle.The assault occurred late at night, when Wangchuck targeted a woman walking home alone after her shift at a hospitality venue.
According to court proceedings, Wangchuck did not know the victim personally.
The incident unfolded around 3:30 a.m., a time when the city was quiet and many residents were already indoors.
The victim, a cleaner, was on the phone with her partner as she made her way home through the historic streets of York, passing landmarks such as the City Walls and heading towards the suburbs.
Prosecutor Martin Butterworth explained that Wangchuck, who was riding a bike through the city centre, had been following her for some time without her awareness.
He observed her walking alone, seemingly under the influence of alcohol, which he apparently used as a justification for his actions.
As she approached her home, Wangchuck dismounted from his bike and approached her from behind, grabbing her between the legs.
The woman, still engaged in her phone conversation, was caught off guard by the assault.
She managed to put her key into her front door lock, but Wangchuck then sexually assaulted her on her doorstep.
The victim later stated that she was still on the phone with her partner during the attack.
In her personal statement, she expressed her fear and changed behaviour, now always ensuring she has someone with her when walking home at night.
She also conveyed her concern that Wangchuck might have committed similar offences before, given her sense of vulnerability.
Wangchuck was taken into custody and later admitted to police that he committed the assault for his own sexual gratification.
He pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual assault in February.
It was noted that he had no prior convictions, but a probation report described him as a “risk to women” and indicated that he did not fully comprehend the impact of his actions on the victim.
During the court hearing at York Magistrates' Court, Wangchuck was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison.
The magistrates emphasized that his crime targeted a vulnerable woman walking alone at night, and they condemned his decision to follow her home.
In addition to his jail term, Wangchuck was subjected to a lifetime restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim or visiting her residence.
He was also placed under a five-year sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits him from following any woman alone.
Furthermore, Wangchuck will be registered as a sex offender for the next seven years.
Colin Byrne, representing the prosecution, described the incident as “very odd” and noted Wangchuck’s remorse, supported by references from his family.
Byrne suggested that a suspended sentence might have been more appropriate, allowing Wangchuck to work with probation officers to address the underlying causes of his behaviour.
It was also highlighted that Wangchuck had already experienced a period of remand following his arrest, having been released on bail after pleading guilty.
Wangchuck, who works nights as a cleaner and had finished his shift early that evening, now faces the consequences of his actions in a case that has shocked the local community and raised concerns about safety for women walking alone at night in York and Newcastle.
