Sex assault of woman found by police on Norwich man's phone

Officers discovered the footage on Andrew Blanch's mobile phone as part of an investigation into a separate violent offence where he was the victim.

Andrew Blanch (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Norwich Crown Court heard the clip showed a "barely conscious" woman, who had taken heroin and cocaine, being put onto a bed by Blanch, 45.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)Lori Tucker, prosecuting, said Blanch, who was himself "drunk or on drugs at the time" took the woman's clothes off and made comments "clearly of a sexual nature".

Mrs Tucker said: "It's quite clear at that time she was out of it."Andrew Blanch disguising himself as he left court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Blanch, of Lavengro Road, Norwich, appeared in court on Thursday (October 19) having previously admitted sexual assault on a female and voyeurism.

Judge Andrew Shaw said it had been an "unpleasant offence" when the victim was "as good as unconscious" as a result of the mixture of heroin and cocaine she had taken.

Judge Andrew Shaw (Image: Newsquest)Imposing a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, Judge Shaw said it had been a "fleeting sexual assault".

He gave Blanch credit for his guilty pleas, his remorse and also recognised he had no previous convictions for sexual offences.

Oliver Haswell, mitigating, said it was not a "calculated or planned act" by Blanch who was now free from drugs but a "functioning alcoholic" and who was "under the influence of drugs at the time".

Mr Haswell insisted the offence, on November 1, 2020, had been "stupid" as opposed to it being "predatory or sinister" one.

He added Blanch was "genuinely sorry for what happened".

As part of the sentence Blanch was ordered to undertake 40 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) and put on the sex offenders register for 10 years.