A Letchworth man was found guilty of non-fatal strangulation, sexual assault by penetration and several other offences at St Albans Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, December 22).

The court heard that Ashley Banks, 35, of no fixed abode, sexually assaulted a woman multiple times in July this year. He then punched her repeatedly in the face and put his arms around her throat in the stairwell of an address in Letchworth.

Banks also assaulted a member of the public who intervened during his brutal attack. When he was arrested later that day, he kicked a police officer and was racially abusive towards another.

Following the two-day trial, Banks was found guilty of:

  • Non-fatal strangulation
  • Actual Bodily Harm
  • Two counts of sexual assault by touching
  • Two counts of sexual assault by penetration
  • Assault by beating
  • Assaulting an emergency worker
  • Racially aggravated public order

Investigator Lauren Shelley, who led the case, said: “Strangulation, even momentarily, is extremely dangerous. Our priority was to safeguard the victim from further harm.

"She was terrified of Banks and was therefore understandably unable to support a police investigation.

“However, Banks is a danger to women and, due to the serious nature of the offences, we were able to investigate independently and gathered enough evidence, including CCTV footage, to bring him before the courts.”

Banks was the second person in Hertfordshire to be charged with non-fatal strangulation and suffocation on July 8. The offence was introduced in legislation that became law on June 7.

Banks is due to be sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, February 17.