David Austin

David Austin, a 58-year-old man from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was convicted by a jury at Hull Crown Court of four offences of sexual assault against a young girl. The incident occurred on 13 July 2023 in the Market Weighton area of East Yorkshire. Austin, who denied the charges, claimed during the trial that he had merely tickled the girl to cheer her up, but the prosecution successfully argued that his actions were deliberate and intimate, with no possibility of accident.

Prosecutor Benjamin Donnell detailed how Austin intimately touched the girl, leading to her making a complaint to the police that same night. Austin was arrested at 12:30am on 13 July 2023. In court, Donnell challenged Austin's account, asking if the girl had lied about being groped, to which Austin replied affirmatively but offered no explanation for why she would fabricate the allegations. Donnell pressed further, stating, 'The reason she has made these allegations is because they are true. The only person lying in this courtroom is you.' He also questioned Austin about any sexual interest in children, which Austin denied, insisting he did not want to be labelled a paedophile.

The court heard a statement from the girl's mother, who described her daughter as a 'bright, curious girl' before the assault, but noted a profound change afterwards. The mother recounted how the victim expressed a desire to die and now suffers from nightmares, highlighting the serious psychological harm inflicted. Judge Mark Bury, sentencing Austin, remarked on his denial of the offences: 'He has rolled the dice and lost.' The judge emphasised the significant impact of the offending, stating, 'The effect that your offending has had has been very significant. Only a sentence of immediate custody can be justified for this offending.'

Austin, of Ascot Crescent, Stevenage, was on bail during the trial but remanded in custody overnight following his conviction. He was sentenced the following day to two years' imprisonment. Additionally, he received a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, a 10-year restraining order, and must register as a sex offender for 10 years. Rachel Scott, mitigating for Austin, noted his denial of the offences, his hardworking nature, and the likely loss of his 23-year job and home, but these factors did not sway the court from imposing custody. The case was reported by Hull Live, with coverage by court reporter Mark Naylor on 3 November 2025.