‘Predatory’ Denbigh man sexually assaulted woman in taxi

Daniel Williams, 33, of Highgate, was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment at Mold Crown Court today (May 11).

He was also handed a restraining order, and made subject to sex offenders register notification requirements.

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Prosecuting, Richard Edwards told the court that, on December 17, 2021, an 18-year-old female and her friend hailed a taxi at St Peter’s Square in Ruthin at about 11pm.

As they approached the taxi, Williams asking if they wanted to share it with him and split the fare, to which they agreed.

All three of them sat in the rear of the taxi, with the victim in the middle seat, her friend to her left and Williams to her right.

During the journey, while the victim was on a FaceTime call to her partner, Williams started leaning into her, and she nudged her friend to indicate he was touching her thigh.

Her friend moved Williams’ hand from her thigh repeatedly, while the victim tried to move away as far away as possible from him, and shouted: “Leave me the f*** alone” at him.

Williams then put his hands through a rip in her jeans before touching her between her legs.

He got out of the taxi in Denbigh, before shouting abuse at the two females.

A police car which happened to pass by was flagged down, and the victim told officers of what had transpired in the taxi.

When she returned home, her mother contacted the police after hearing her daughter crying before learning what happened.

Williams was arrested the following day, making no comment when interviewed.

He had been on a night out with his work colleagues and was under the influence of alcohol.

In a statement, the victim said the incident has left her feeling unsafe from now on when going out, adding that she has lost confidence as a result.

She said that she has since struggled to sleep, and felt a “huge emotional relief” when she discovered that Williams had been charged.

Williams had 27 previous convictions for 64 offences, albeit none since 2017, and none of sexual nature.

Williams was sentenced at Mold Crown Court today (May 11) (Image: Newsquest)

Defending, Maria Masellis said he “did not really remember much of the night in question because he was so intoxicated”.

But she said that Williams, who pleaded guilty had “taken full responsibility” for his actions, and is “genuinely ashamed and remorseful”.

The loss of his mother several years ago, Ms Masellis said, had exacerbated his alcoholism, but he has stopped drinking alcohol entirely since this incident.

Williams was said to have a “positive work ethic” and a “clear and obvious dedication to his two children”, with “excellent testimonials” provided to the court on his behalf.

Ms Masellis invited the court to consider suspending his custodial sentence.

Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts ruled that “appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody”.

As well as his prison term, Williams must comply with sex offenders register notification requirements for 10 years.

A restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly, was also enforced for the same period of time.

Williams will pay a statutory surcharge upon his release from prison.

Judge Petts said: “This is not the first time that drink has been at the root of you committing offences.

“What you did may have been opportunistic, rather than pre-planned, but it was certainly predatory.”