A police officer sexually assaulted in the line of duty ‘blames herself’ for the man’s actions, stating she is ‘deeply ashamed she could not prevent the attack’.
In court yesterday, Donovan Yon, 42, admitted grabbing the officer’s crotch after he was taken to the Great Western Hospital for treatment following an arrest for drink driving – for which he was later convicted.
The defendant, of St Paul’s Street, Swindon, carried out the attack – touching the officer’s genitals through her clothing – in a busy emergency department on Valentine’s Day last year.
Visibly upset and expressing sadness, district judge Joanna Dickens said it was clear from her victim impact statement that the officer “blames herself” for the ordeal. She committed the case to Swindon Crown Court for sentencing.
The female officer, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, wrote:
“I have never fallen subject to a sexual assault, nor do I expect to be. The fact that someone, in full view of members of the public, felt confident enough to grab my crotch area firmly and without falter has shocked me.
“In the moment, it made me panic and genuinely fearful. I felt if he was brave enough to do that to a female police officer, I couldn’t predict the levels he’d go to.
“I was, and still am, hugely embarrassed that I was unable to defend myself. As someone who should be in a position of authority, robust and able to handle themselves, to be sexually assaulted in front of a large group of people.
“I have never had my gender used against me in such a way before, I do not for a second believe he would have used this method if I had been a male police officer.
“I am deeply ashamed that I was unable to predict, or prevent, the actions. I am embarrassed that I now have to stand up, as a police officer, in front of a courtroom and discuss the fact that a male I had never met before felt it acceptable to intentionally grab my genitals.
“I wouldn’t wish to discuss it [the assault] with a room of close friends, let alone a room full of strangers.
“I see no reasonable excuse for his behaviour and I am of the firm belief that was an act with sexual intent, whether it was an act of sexual dominance of otherwise.
“Yon would never have believed I would want those actions.
“We were purely trying to help him by taking him to hospital after his primary offence. We were looking out for his best interest and caring for health and welfare. I do not believe anyone would deserve to be treated in this manner.
“It has changed the way I deal with aggressive suspects and is an incident that will remain with me for the foreseeable future.”
