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Bury St Edmunds pub manager avoids jail for sexual assault

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 11:19 · Archive

Johnathan Halliday, 57, was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment suspended for 18 months for sexually assaulting a woman.

Johnathan Halliday, 57, of Kelso Road, Bury St Edmunds, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing after admitting one count of sexual assault. Judge Talbot-Hadleigh told him: "It is unacceptable behaviour. You were more than twice her age." The judge added that alcohol appeared to have been a factor, stating "on this occasion it seems drink got the better of you".

In her victim personal statement, the woman said her world had been "totally flipped" since the assault. She described feeling "disgusted" in herself, struggling to eat and sleep and sometimes spending "days and days in bed not wanting to see anyone". Seeing police cars outside later triggered fears that Halliday had come for her, and being offered a lift home by a male friend sparked a panic attack because she did not want to be alone with a man. The assault also caused difficulties within her romantic relationship.

Halliday, previously of good character, was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete a period of probation supervision. No restraining order was imposed because there had been no communication between Halliday and the complainant during the proceedings.

Bury St Edmunds pub manager avoids jail for sexual assault
Image: East Anglian Daily Times

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In this story: Johnathan Halliday · Judge Talbot-Hadleigh · Bury St Edmunds · Ipswich Crown Court

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