A MAN has been jailed for 11 years after sexually assaulting a teen girl inside a shower at a UK public swimming pool.
The “dreadful impact” of the assault meant that the smell of chlorine makes her tense to this day.
A man has been jailed after sexually assaulting a teen girl at a public swimming pool[/caption]
A court heard the teen had been caused “severe psychological harm” and suffered “vivid nightmares” from the memories of what happened, according to MEN Media.
Tomasz Figura, 46, of Cave Street, off Beverley Road, Hull, denied offences of assault by penetration, sexual assault and voyeurism.
But he was convicted by a jury after a trial at Hull Crown Court on April 8.
He failed to attend for sentencing at Grimsby Crown court on May 9 as he admitted he was “drunk”.
Three days later he was was arrested for also failing to attend at Hull Crown Court and was remanded in custody.
Claire Holmes, prosecuting, told a delayed sentencing hearing at Doncaster Crown Court that Figura received sexual gratification by seeing the girl showering.
He intimately touched her while she was in the shower.
Figura, who appeared in court via a video link from Hull Prison, said: “It’s all a lie.”
Miss Holmes said that the girl suffered severe psychological harm from what happened.
The girl later said: “I was crying myself to sleep and walking to school with puffy eyes.
“I couldn’t cope with the thoughts that plagued my mind.
“I suffered vivid nightmares, those same scenes playing on repeat in my head. I had countless panic attacks. I was constantly battling my own thoughts.
“To this day, the smell of chlorine makes my muscles tense.”
The court heard that Figura was originally allowed bail and was due to be sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court on May 9 but he did not turn up.
Judge Alexander Menary told Figura: “I was told the reason you didn’t come to court was that you were drunk. Is that correct?”
Figura replied: “That’s correct.”
Judge Menary said: “Just because you were drunk is not a good reason not to come.”
Figura replied: “I understand.”
John Dunning, mitigating, said that there had been no further offences since.
Figura had no previous convictions but he had a caution in June last year for possessing an air weapon in his car.
He suffered health problems and was now in a wheelchair.
“That condition is likely to make any term of imprisonment much more arduous,” said Mr Dunning.
Figura was helped during the court hearing by a Polish interpreter.
Judge Menary said of the girl: “The dreadful impact on her was apparent at trial.
“There was severe psychological harm here.
She is still impacted by what happened to her.”
Figura was jailed for 11 years and was given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will have to register as a sex offender for life.
