BEMERTON Heath man Philip Arthur has been handed a suspended prison sentence for sexual assault – after smacking a woman on the bottom while she cleaned.

The 67-year-old, of Westwood Road, was sentenced at Salisbury Magistrates Court on January 29 after pleading guilty in December last year.

It followed two incidents in Pewsey between November 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023, when Arthur has asked for a massage from his victim and ran his hands on her thighs without her consent.

In the second incident Arthur smacked her on the bottom when she was cleaning.

Arthur was also sentenced to 60 days of rehabilitation activity and ordered to pay £154 victim surcharge.

Local Crime Investigator O’Harney, of Wiltshire Police, said: “This incident was reported to us through a third party. It was a frightening assault that took place in the victims home by someone she trusted.

“Violence Against Women and Girls is a top priority for Wiltshire Police and we hope the result sends a strong message to perpetrators.

“I hope that the victim in this case feels a sense of justice for what they went through.

“I also hope that this encourages more victims of all crime to come forward. We are listening and we will investigate.”

People can report crimes on 101.