Today, Thursday 5th October, a 39 year old man from the Belfast area was sentenced at Laganside Crown Court for rape and sexual assault.
Stephen Dalton was sentenced to six years and six months. He will serve three years and three months in custody and three years and three months on licence. He will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and will also be subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for 10 years.
Detective Constable Grant said: “Stephen Dalton took advantage of a vulnerable young woman who became separated from her friends.
“His actions were callous, with total disregard to consent. There is no defence for disregarding sexual consent. Without consent, it is rape.
“We would like to commend a passer-by who intervened, and the victim for her bravery in working with Detectives throughout the investigation.
“The Police Service of Northern Ireland takes all reports of sexual assault seriously, and we urge anyone who has ever been the victim of sexual abuse to come forward and report it, regardless of when it happened, safe in the knowledge that they will be treated with respect and dignity. Report to Police on 101 on in an emergency always dial 999.”