Stonehouse man, 40, found guilty of sexually assaulting a grandmother

David Buckley Harrison, aged 40, of Pheasant Mead, Stonehouse, was found guilty of five offences which all included him touching or groping the same woman between January 2012 and April 2014.

The bench at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (October 2) was left to decide which account of events they felt was more believable as there were no adult witnesses for any of the assaults.

Bench chairwoman Dr Marge Doble explained that matters of a sexual nature are by their very substance one person’s word against another but was satisfied that Harrison had committed the offences.

She noted that when confronted he “did not appear shocked by the accusation” and instead said “well maybe she fancies me, I am good looking”.

Harrison was said to have fondled her breasts and groin area.

The incidents often happened at parties but Harrison, who works for Stanley Engineers in Stonehouse, was also found guilty of groping the woman in the conservatory of his home on April 4, 2013.

Prosecutor Robert Reid accused Harrison, who works for Stanley Engineers in Stonehouse, of having sexual fantasies about the older woman and then choosing to act on them.

“It’s quite clear there’s a direct undercurrent of fantasy running through this case.

“You are a man who fantasises sexually about an older woman.”

Mr Reid also told the court that Harrison’s defence that the victim had invented the story in order to break up his family was a clear sign of guilt.

“David Harrison feels a simple denial is not enough and so has to back them up with reasons and explanations why she is lying,” he said.

Defending Sabhia Pathan said the woman was “like a volcano, one that has been bubbling away and has eventually erupted.”

She also told the court that there was no additional piece of evidence to support her accusations.

Harrison is due to be sentenced at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court at 2pm on Thursday, October 16 following a pre-sentence report.