Man, 20, pleads guilty to sexual assault

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to sexual assault following an incident in early 2019.

Jay Cunnington, of Bants Lane, Northampton, was charged with three counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 - 15 and one count of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 – 15.

The charges relate to an incident in February 2019 when Cunnington sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl when he was 17-years-old. He also sent her inappropriate photos of himself.

At Northampton Crown Court earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to the offences and will be sentenced at the same court on August 12, 2022.

Lead Investigator, Detective Constable Andrea Taylor, said: “First of all, I want to commend this young woman for her bravery in reporting this crime to us and for supporting our investigation throughout.

“We know how hard it is to approach the police, especially when reporting a crime of this nature, and she has shown courage beyond her years and indeed, beyond what should ever have been expected of her, in coming forward.

“Jay Cunnington knew this girl was only 13-years-old when he made sexual advances towards her – something she did not want and was not in a position to consent to. I am pleased to see him plead guilty to these offences and hope it allows this young woman to move forward with her life.”

Northamptonshire Police takes reports of sexual assault very seriously and will always treat reports of this nature with the confidentiality and sensitivity they deserve.

We will believe you.

If you have been a victim of a sexual assault, whether recent or non-recent, please come forward by calling 101 or visiting www.northants.police.uk.

If you have been a victim of a sexual offence but are not yet ready to speak to the police, please visit www.voicenorthants.org or call Voice on 0300 303 1965. Voice is a support service for anyone living in Northamptonshire, regardless of when, where or how crime happened to you. Services are free, confidential and you don’t have to have reported anything to the police.