PERTH MAN JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND STREET ATTACK
A man accused of attacking a woman on the street following a perceived insult has undergone a 'religious conversion,' as reported in court.Tyler Williams confessed to sexually assaulting a 17-year-old in Perth city centre during her birthday celebrations in 2021.
Last month, he was found guilty of assaulting the same woman in February while she walked past his home.
Williams, who is 37, denied the assault, claiming during his Perth Sheriff Court trial that he is a physically large individual and that his actions would have resulted in severe injuries, such as a broken nose, if he had assaulted her.
He appeared before the court again for sentencing after the sheriff expressed disbelief in his account.
Defense solicitor Lyndsey Barber explained that Williams had experienced a spiritual awakening and that his character has changed significantly.
She stated that he had suffered trauma and lacked effective coping strategies at the time of the offences.
The court was informed that Williams had recently been baptized.
Earlier this year, Williams told The Courier that he had changed his lifestyle through the assistance of a church-supported community initiative after previously using cannabis and alcohol.
Ms.
Barber noted that her client accepted the court's findings, emphasizing he has a strong support system and is committed to remaining abstinent from drugs and alcohol.
The pre-sentencing report described him as the best version of himself in six years, recognizing his awareness of the concerns surrounding his behavior.
Sheriff Paul Brown imposed a six-month jail sentence, which was backdated to his remand in March, implying his early release is imminent.
Additionally, he was placed on supervision for six months and will remain on the sex offenders register for the same duration.
As part of his conduct requirements, Williams was ordered not to contact the victim.
The court also heard how Williams assaulted the teen in 2021 after she gave him a 'dirty look' during a birthday outing.
According to prosecutor Emma Farmer, he approached her group, engaged in polite conversation, then without consent, grabbed her breasts and caused her to scream and push him away.
Later, the same woman encountered Williams at her home between late November and Christmas Eve; she heard him shouting and believed he was involved in a canine-related disturbance.
When she told him to stop shouting at a dog, he later called her a 'bitch' and made a violent threat.
Williams pled guilty to sexually assaulting the victim and threatening her but denied the February 24 incident, where he was outside smoking with another man when she passed.
She claimed he forcibly dragged her, punched her repeatedly, and that she kicked him in self-defense before escaping.
She posted images of her injuries on Snapchat.
Williams maintained that he was home alone that night, asserting he followed a curfew last year by staying indoors from 8 pm to 8 am, watching Netflix or playing video games.
He questioned how his victim could have been injured, suggesting possible domestic or drug-related causes.
During cross-examination, Williams described himself as a large man whose punches typically would cause significant injury, such as a broken nose.
The court concluded that the victim's testimony was credible and supported by other evidence, leading to a guilty verdict, despite Williams’ claims.
Members of his church group were present supporting him in court.
