Yeovil man receives prison sentence for sexual assault of teenage girl
The incidents took place several years before the trial came to court
A man from Yeovil has been given a prison sentence after being convicted of the non-recent sexual assault of a teenage girl.
Steven Hentschel was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on May 21st after being convicted on one of two counts of sexual assault on a female who was 15 at the time of the incident.
It is believed the incident took place several years before the case managed to make it to court.
During the trial, it was revealed that Hentschel, now aged 54, had told the victim that she looked beautiful while meeting her in Yeovil before kissing her on the lips.
Hetschel pleaded not guilty to the two counts of sexual assault that were brought against him; the jury found him guilty on one count, but acquitted him of the other.
Following the conviction, Hetschel was bailed ahead of the sentencing hearing. In total, Hetschel will serve four months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
He was also subjected to a five-year restraining order against the victim, and was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, as well as going to rehabilitation for 20 days.
Hetschel will also have sign the sex offenders' register for a total of seven years, according to the judge.
Speaking on the case, DC Emma Whatley from Avon and Somerset Police said: “We are grateful to the victim, her family and everybody who supported our investigation by providing vital information.
“That courage to come forward has enabled us to achieve this conviction.
“The victim knew the defendant before this incident; his actions violated the trust she placed in him, which is why we welcome the five-year restraining order being issued.”