Lee O'Brien, a 52-year-old former support worker from the Wrexham area, was sentenced at Mold Crown Court for sexually assaulting a man by penetration. The assault occurred approximately a decade prior to the sentencing, at O'Brien's former home in North Wales. O'Brien, who was already serving a prison sentence in England for previous sex offences against another victim, admitted to the crime on the day of the hearing.
The court heard that the victim had arrived at O'Brien's home expecting to meet other people, but found himself alone with the defendant. As detailed by prosecutor John Wyn Williams, the two sat on a sofa where O'Brien attempted to kiss the victim, who pulled away. O'Brien, described as bigger and stronger, then got on top of the victim, preventing him from escaping. O'Brien rubbed the victim intimately over his clothes, removed his trousers, and penetrated him, causing a burning sensation in the victim's anus. The victim could not see what was used but believed it may have been a finger or an object. No consent was given at any point, and O'Brien suddenly stopped, smiling at the victim.
Years later, the incident was triggered when the victim undertook work training, leading him to report the assault to the police on 22 June 2023. O'Brien was interviewed on 7 September 2023, where he claimed the encounter was consensual and mutual, denying any sexual activity. However, he pleaded guilty to the charge of assault by penetration during the court proceedings, sparing the victim from testifying in a trial.
In a powerful victim impact statement read in court, the unnamed victim described the profound effects of the assault: 'Before this incident, I was living my best life. The world was my oyster.' He explained how it led to social isolation, loss of trust in others, nightmares, and the need for counselling. He expressed frustration over the guilty plea robbing him of his 'voice' in a trial, and concluded, 'You made me feel dirty and disgusting and I will never be able to get over this fact.'
Defending barrister Matthew Dunford noted that both men had been drinking, but O'Brien had not plied the victim with alcohol as in his previous cases. He emphasised O'Brien's genuine remorse and the guilty plea, which avoided cross-examination of the victim. His Honour Judge Rhys Rowlands acknowledged the severe psychological impact on the victim and classified O'Brien as a dangerous offender due to the risk he poses to the public. O'Brien, currently incarcerated at HMP Whatton in Nottinghamshire, received an extended sentence of nine years: five and a half years in custody, of which he will serve two-thirds before release, followed by three and a half years on licence.
The case was reported by North Wales Live, with court reporting by David Powell, highlighting O'Brien's history as a convicted sex offender and the ongoing protection measures for the public.