A MAN from Bemerton Heath has been sentenced to four months in custody, suspended for two years after pleading guilty to sexual assault.

Philip Arthur, 67, of Westwood Road, Bemerton Heath, was sentenced at Salisbury Magistrates Court on Monday, January 29 after pleading guilty last December.

It follows two incidents in Pewsey between Wednesday, November 1 and Sunday, December 31.

In the first incident, Arthur asked for a massage from his victim and ran his hands on her thighs without her consent.

On 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 a £154 victim surcharge.

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Local Crime Investigator Ms O'Harney said: "This incident was reported to us through a third party. It was a frightening assault that took place in the victim’s 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."