Hazaroth Wise

Hazaroth Wise, a 32-year-old man from Sunderland, was sentenced at Durham Crown Court on 5 June 2025 after admitting sexual assault.

The court heard that the victim had been drinking and went to sleep, only to wake to find Wise kissing her neck and the side of her face. Prosecutor Robin Turton told the court that Wise asked the woman: “Is this okay, can I do this?” When she repeatedly said “no”, he responded: “It’s fine.”

The next thing she recalled was being pulled away from him. She then realised her underwear had been removed. She believed Wise had taken it off while she slept and suspected he had sexually assaulted her. As he was pulled off her, Wise pretended to be sleepy and pulled his trousers up, denying any wrongdoing.

The distressed victim reported the incident to the police. When interviewed later that day, Wise claimed consensual sexual touching had occurred. However, he admitted the charge of sexual assault at a plea hearing in April 2025.

In an impact statement read to the court, the victim said the assault had affected her mental health and confidence in public, and she now fears meeting men she does not know.

In mitigation, defence counsel Jennifer Coxon said Wise had expressed remorse in a probation report, stating he “hated himself for what he had done”. But Judge Aisha Wadoodi noted that Wise had shown “minimal insight and remorse”, and that he only stopped when he was physically dragged away. The judge was also told that Wise had been heavily intoxicated and had used cocaine for the first time.

Judge Wadoodi sentenced Wise to 18 months in prison and imposed a five-year restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim. He must also register as a sex offender for five years.