Suspended Sentence Issued for Sexual Assault of 17-Year-Old

A man who apologised to a 17-year-old girl after sexually assaulting her has been handed a suspended prison sentence. Darren Fuller, 23, committed the sexual assault against the girl in June 2023, as heard at Newcastle Crown Court. Fuller, a father-of-one from Newcastle, pleaded guilty to three offences and received a 13-month jail term, suspended for a period of two years. In a statement read to the court, the victim expressed that “she had been having panic attacks since the assault and it would impact all her future relationships.” Judge Nathan Adams noted that following the attack, Fuller, of Dene Avenue in Leamside, messaged his victim to say he was sorry. The judge also stated that Fuller, who had no prior convictions, demonstrated genuine remorse and had a realistic chance of rehabilitation. A sexual harm prevention order was imposed for 10 years, and the defendant was mandated to register as a sex offender for an equivalent duration.