Suspended sentence for Lincolnshire man who was convicted of sexually assaulting two young women

A man who was convicted of sexually assaulting two young women was today (Friday) given a 12 month suspended jail sentence.

Karim Kattach, 40, was found guilty of six charges after a trial at Lincoln Crown Court in January.

Jurors cleared Kattach of two charges - but Recorder Simon King said his offending passed the custodial threshold.

Passing sentence, Recorder King said he had thought long and hard about sending Kattach to jail.

But the Recorder said on balance he had decided Kattach was suitable for rehabilitation to help see the world through the eyes of his victims.

"This is not a slap on the wrist," the Recorder warned Kattach, telling him the jail sentence could be activated if he failed to comply with the order.

"I accept at the time you were dealing with your own demons, including alcohol, and I am told you have been free of alcohol for some time," the Recorder added.

The court heard Kattach, of Somerton Gate Lane, Waddington, had no previous convictions.

Kattach was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years. He must also complete 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and a 120 day Alcohol Abstinence Order.

During the hearing prosecution barrister Nicola Moore read out impact statements from the two victims.

One of the women described how she was previously a social person but now suffered from anxiety and panic attacks.

The woman said she feared bumping into the defendant and had to avoid shopping areas he might visit.

In her statement, the second victim said she had been forced to address her dress sense due to Kattach's actions.

"I was scared of being touched or being approached by anyone," she added.

"Even after all this time I struggle with these issues."

Andrew Cohen, mitigating for Kattach, urged Recorder King to consider a suspended jail sentence.

Mr Cohen told the court Kattach had stopped drinking alcohol for 12 months and there had no been no repetition of the offences

"He has not got away from this 'scot- free,' " Mr Cohen added.

"He has voluntarily gone on a number of courses and sought treatment. Being arrested crystallised matters."