Man jailed for sexual assault of stranger
Northumbria PoliceA man who sexually assaulted a stranger after forcing his way into her Ashington home has been jailed.
Devon Critchlow punched and forced his hands around his victim's neck in the late-night attack in September.
The 21-year-old, of Ashington, was later arrested and appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he admitted assault, non-fatal strangulation, and sexual assault.
He has been sentenced to five years and three months' imprisonment with a further five years on licence upon his release.
Critchlow was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register and was handed a restraining order to protect the victim.
The court was told the victim was attacked after she answered the door thinking he was someone else.
He had been spotted on CCTV following her home. Following an appeal by Northumbria Police, he was identified as a suspect by a number of members of the public.
After his sentencing, Det Sgt Steven Gibson said: "This was a truly shocking and awful incident for the victim, who appeared to be targeted for the sole reason that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"We won't tolerate the type of predatory behaviour exhibited by Critchlow that night – and I'm glad to see he's now behind bars."