Connor Joseph Atkinson

On the evening of Sunday, 13 August 2017, just after 7pm, a woman in her 40s was walking alone along Wooden Hill Lane on the edge of Romanby, Northallerton, when she was approached by Connor Joseph Atkinson, then aged 19.

Atkinson, who has not been publicly linked to a specific address in the available reports, carried out a sexual assault by touching the victim through her clothing. The incident was reported immediately, prompting a swift response from North Yorkshire Police, who launched an investigation including a public appeal for information. Atkinson was arrested on the same day as the assault.

Following his arrest, Atkinson was charged with one count of sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to the offence, leading to his sentencing in court. The case was handled by the Northallerton Serious Crime Team, with Detective Constable Neil Brodhurst commenting on the outcome: 'Atkinson has been convicted of this offence and I hope that his conviction shows how seriously this type of offence is treated and serves as a warning to others.' Brodhurst also praised the victim's courage, noting: 'I would like to thank the victim for her courage in coming forward to the police. With her support, our officers were able to quickly locate her attacker and build a case that led to him admitting the offence and being sentenced.'

As part of his sentence, handed down in early 2018, Atkinson was required to sign on to the sex offender's register for a period of five years. Additionally, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was imposed for ten years to restrict his behaviour and protect the public. The sentencing underscores the gravity with which sexual assault cases are treated in the UK judicial system, particularly those involving unsolicited contact in public spaces.

This account is based on reporting from The Northern Echo, published on 6 April 2018, detailing the incident and its resolution through police and court proceedings in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.