TERRANCE MURTHA OF ILFRACOMBE SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS AT HOUSE PARTY

A 57-year-old man from North Devon, Terrence Murtha, has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of three sexual assaults that occurred during a house party in Ilfracombe in 2021. Initially told he could sleep on the sofa, Murtha secretly entered an upstairs bedroom and assaulted a 22-year-old woman. During his trial in November, Murtha was convicted of two counts of sexual assault by touching and one count of assault by penetration. The court also issued a 10-year restraining order and ordered that Murtha register as a sex offender for life.

The victim provided a heartfelt statement describing the emotional toll of the attack, stating, "The nightmares I've had were so intense and were the worst I had ever experienced. It felt like I was reliving this disgusting situation I was forced into over and over again. I was scared and disgusted to even be in my own home and couldn't stay there. I really struggled with day-to-day life. I was unable to go to work and this had a huge financial impact."

During the trial, it was revealed that Murtha was caught with his hands groping the woman when she awoke, which led to his conviction on two sexual assault charges by touching and one assault by penetration.