A man from Stanmore who sexually assaulted a teenage girl in a nightclub has avoided jail. Prashant Ladva, of Julius Ceasar Way, violated his victim near the cloakroom of Watford’s Pryzm as she waited for a friend.
The 37-year-old had danced and drank alone at the club – which has since closed – for some time on August 14, 2021. Later in the evening, CCTV footage showed the creep loitering in the foyer before approaching the young woman.
He attempted to start a conversation and complimented her appearance before carrying out the assault. The victim managed to escape and tell her friends, before reporting the incident to Hertfordshire Police.
Ladva was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Monday, July 7, after previously being convicted of sexual assault by touching in May. During the hearing, he was handed him a two-year community order, as well as 200 hours of unpaid work and 25 days of rehabilitation.
His name was also added to the Sex Offender Register for five years, meaning he will have to inform police of any changes in his circumstances. In addition, he was ordered to pay a surcharge, costs and compensation to his victim.
In a statement, she shared: “Not only was coming forward about this important for my own closure, but I also wanted to show that speaking up can have a positive outcome for female victims of assault. Not only does it help you personally, but it helps protect other women.”
Detective Constable Jon Holmes, from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said: “I want to start by publicly commending the victim in this case, who has had to wait nearly four years for her attacker to be convicted. This young woman has shown nothing but dignity and maturity beyond her years in the wake of what was an incredibly traumatic ordeal, followed by significant and frustrating delays in the justice system.”
He went on to urge victims of crime to come forward, adding: “You won’t be told to do anything you are not ready for and your views, wishes and concerns will always be at the heart of our investigations.”
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