A man acting ‘the Good Samaritan’ took advantage of a heavily intoxicated young woman, inviting her into his home as a supposed kind gesture, due to her condition.

Franklyn Price, 57, exacerbated it by giving her more alcohol and then danced with the already inebriated woman, to one of her favourite records, before she fell asleep in his living room

Durham Crown Court heard that while the victim was in deep sleep, Price removed some of her clothing and took about 20 photographs on his phone of her private parts.

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It was only when she woke the following morning that she discovered the illicitly-taken photos after asking to use Price’s phone to contact a friend.

The court heard that the shocked woman deleted some of the images, and, on realising he was potentially in serious trouble, Price deleted the rest.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said when he was interviewed by police, Price claimed the woman, “encouraged the taking of a single image.”

The defendant, of Carmel Gardens, Norton, in Stockton, was accused of sexually assaulting the woman and a count of voyeurism, relating to the photographs, both of the alleged offences dating from June 2021.

He was cleared on the sexual assault charge after a trial at Teesside Crown Court, in June, but the jury found him guilty on the count of voyeurism.

Mr Walker told the sentencing hearing, in Durham, that Price had been monitoring the woman’s movements on cctv at his home, so when she passed his door, he invited her in as an apparent kindly gesture.

But Mr Walker said when the compromising photographs were taken, “she said she was not in control, describing herself as being unconscious.”

The court heard that as a result of the offence, the woman said it has affected her “hugely” and she has moved home.

Zara Baqri, in mitigation for Price, told the court: “He’s deeply sorry for any distress she felt.

“He regrets allowing the complainant in that night.

“But he was acquitted of the more serious offence.

“You may recall (from the trial) footage of her walking to his door and, once inside, a drink was had and there was dancing after the complainant asked the Alexa device to play one of her favourite songs.

“He accepted the images were deleted and she deleted some believing them to be of herself.”

Miss Baqri said the defendant claimed not all of the explicit images featured the complainant, as some were of a woman the defendant met on a website.

She told the court: “He’s 57, and well-known and respected in the community.

“But, he has suffered with the utter shame of being charged with a serious sexual offence.”

She said the defendant suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after two road traffic accidents left him with serious physical disabilities, which, combined with the stress of the court case, led him to spend time in a psychiatric unit and be prescribed with anti-depressants.

Miss Baqri added that despite his conviction, Price's family has remained supportive.

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Recorder Tom Moran, who presided over the trial, said, given the victim’s condition that night: “I have no doubt whatsoever that you saw this as, ‘an opportunity’, engaging in despicable behaviour, inviting her into your house, not as a Good Samaritan, but for your own gratification.

“I totally reject your dishonest account.

“For whatever reason you lack the courage to admit what you did.

“You deeply deserve to go to prison.”

But, Recorder Moran said, having heard that the defendant has been on an electronically-monitored curfew for 416 days awaiting the conclusion of the case, which has, “taken a toll on you and your family”, and the fact the offence only carries a maximum sentence of two years, he could avoid passing an immediate jail term.

He imposed a one-year community order, during which time Price must complete 30 rehabilitation activity days, overseen by the Probation Service.

Price will be subject to sex offender notification requirements for the next five years.

Read next:

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               County Durham man convicted of child rapes sentenced as 'offender of concern'

               County Durham pensioner jailed for breaching Sexual Harm Prevention Order

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