NOT GUILTY: Littleport man acquitted of sexually assaulting two young women during drunken freshers’ week at St Mary’s University in Twickenham
William Harrison - Credit: Archant
A Littleport man has been cleared of sexually assaulting two young women.
The jury at Kingston-Upon-Thames Crown Court took just 90 minutes today to reach a unanimous verdict.
The alleged assaults happened minutes apart during drunken freshers’ week introductions at the UK’s oldest catholic university.
William Kelsey Harrison, 21, of Littleport, had only been at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham a week
when the alleged assaults happened.
The week long trial heard of a drinking culture within the university during the time of the alleged assaults.
Harrison admitted drinking five vodkas, five Jagerbomb shots and two alcopops that evening before ending up at the halls of residence in Waldegrave Road at 2.30am.
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Prosecutor James Dawson told the court: “All the parties in this case had been drinking and the first complainant had pre-drinks before going to the Student Union.”
When she fled her room she told other students on the landing: “You’ve got to get rid of him,” added the prosecutor. “It was plain she was very upset and very tearful.”
Harrison returned to collect his coat and another female student, 20, went into the room to get it.
The prosecutor said: “He followed her in and put his hand over her mouth and started trying to kiss her and she resisted and said: ‘What are you doing?’
“She pushed her way out of the room and now there were two very upset girls.”
Police were called and officers arrested Harrison in his room.
When questioned he did not deny there was physical contact but insisted that it was consensual in the case of both young women.
Harrison pleaded not guilty to one count of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault on September 27, 2014.
