Man who assaulted woman after party jailed

A man who sexually assaulted a woman in her hotel room following a party has been jailed for more than seven years.

Kyran Smith, from Staines, Surrey, assaulted the woman at a hotel in Maidenhead, Berkshire, in December 2022, after lying to obtain a key for her room, Thames Valley Police said.

Following a four-day trial at Reading Crown Court in November, the 29-year-old was convicted of trespass with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence and sexual assault.

Smith has since been sentenced to seven years and six months in prison.

Thames Valley Police said Smith had attended a party where the victim, who is now in her thirties, was also present, before they and others left to stay the night in a hotel.

When the woman, alongside others, retired to their individual rooms at about 02:00 GMT, Smith went to the reception and obtained the victim's hotel room key by deception, the force said.

The victim, who was asleep, awoke to find Smith carrying out a sexual assault in her bed.

She then shouted at Smith to get out, which he did after putting his clothes back on, police added.

He then returned the room key to reception and went to his own room at the hotel.

The next morning, the victim reported what had happened to the hotel staff and her acquaintances.

Investigating officer Det Con Arshid Ali said the Smith's sentence "reflects the seriousness of the offence and the dangerous nature of the defendant".

"Thames Valley Police treat all sexual offences with the utmost seriousness, particularly those committed against women," he said.

"We will continue to prioritise the identification, arrest and prosecution of those who commit sexual violence."