Michelle Hall

On the evening of 16 October 2019, Michelle Hall, a 54-year-old woman of no fixed address, approached a stranger's door in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, late at night seeking money for her bus fare. When the man refused her request, Hall barged past him into his home and offered to perform oral sex on him in exchange for £5. The victim, who has not been named, repeatedly refused her advances and asked her to leave.

Undeterred, Hall groped the victim and attempted to pull down his trousers before fleeing the scene. The incident occurred around 23:25 GMT, turning what should have been a quiet evening into a harrowing ordeal for the man in his own home. Cambridgeshire Police described it as an unexpected and distressing experience for the victim, who demonstrated courage by reporting the assault promptly.

Police identified Hall using CCTV images from locations around Huntingdon and arrested her shortly afterwards. During her time in custody, Hall confessed openly to officers, stating: "You don't have to take swabs, I'm guilty." She was charged with sexual assault, a serious offence under UK law that encompasses non-consensual sexual touching.

Hall appeared at Cambridge Magistrates' Court in November 2019, where she admitted the offence. Her sentencing took place at Peterborough Crown Court on 13 January 2020. The judge imposed a custodial sentence of 20 months' imprisonment and ordered her to be placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years, recognising the gravity of the sexual nature of the crime. This case highlights the vulnerability of individuals in their own homes and the swift action taken by authorities to address such violations.

Source: BBC News article, based on details from Cambridgeshire Police and court proceedings at Peterborough Crown Court.