A former Durham University director has been jailed for 14 years after sexually assaulting two women.
Andrew Harston sexually assaulted one woman and while being investigated by police, went on to sexually assault a second woman in a separate incident. The 39-year-old denied the offences, but was found guilty following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.
Harston, of Shiell Heights, Aykley Heads, Durham, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration last month. The charges date back to when Harston was Director of Development and Alumni Relations at the prestigious university.
The jury found that Harston sexually assaulted a drunk, sleeping woman at a home and committed assault by penetration. The second sexual assault related to another woman, who was also said to be intoxicated at the time. The court heard the offences dated back to while Harston was under police investigation for the first set of allegations.
In police interviews, Harston maintained that any sexual activity with one of the women was consensual.
In victim impact statements read out, the court heard the devastating long term impact the sexual assaults had on the women. The court heard one of the women was left needing counselling and suffering panic attacks.
The other woman spoke of the trauma she had suffered, adding: “He has ruined my life with his actions.”
On sentencing, Judge Jonathan Carroll said: “Each of these two women endured your sexually offending whilst they were significantly under the influence of alcohol, alcohol you had provided.”
Referring to one of the woman, he said: “I have no doubt whatsoever you were fully aware of how significantly under the influence she was and you could see that.”
Judge Carroll said while it was not the defendant’s plan to sexually assault the woman from the outset, it became his intention and he set about how he was going to achieve it.
In the case of the second victim, Judge Carroll said it was the defendant’s plan from the outset to get her intoxicated and supplied her with alcohol throughout the evening.
Judge Carroll said there were two sides to the defendant, adding: “There is the decent hardworking, conscientious man, the family man, the image you present to the public, the charitable religious role you present to the public and work.
“Then, there is the other darker side to you – the sexual predator.”
In mitigation, the court heard Harston’s actions would have far reaching implications to many people.
Harston was sentenced to 14 years in prison and placed on the sex offenders register.
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/former-durham-university-director-jailed-31186941
