MD's sexual assault on woman at east Hull factory

A COMPANY director was confronted by a husband after sexually assaulting the man's wife at a factory in east Hull.

Managing director Neil Beaumont Oliver, 58, preyed on the woman at Arrow Industrial Ltd factory in Hedon Road.

He was previously accused of attacking another woman during a job interview in 2007.

Hull Crown Court heard the woman's husband stormed into the factory and assaulted Oliver after his wife told him about the sexual attack.

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A jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty, convicting Oliver of assaulting the woman, after a three-hour trial.

When the jury returned its guilty verdict, the woman wept, telling police: "I just wanted to make a difference to other women, to stop it happening to them."

The court heard Oliver targeted the woman in the factory earlier this year, hugging her and groping her, and she grabbed her coat, leaving the factory in tears, to return home and tell her husband.

She said: "I was in shock. The first thing that came into my head was 'Did he just do that to me, did he just touch me?'"

Her husband went to the factory, which manufactures steel doors, to confront Oliver and assaulted him after Oliver apologised for his behaviour.

Police were then called in to investigate the sexual assault.

Detective Constable Caroline Lamb praised the woman's bravery for bringing Oliver to justice.

She said: "She has shown great courage throughout this trial. She is relieved at the verdict and, most importantly, that she was believed.

"The woman came forward because she didn't want this to happen to anyone else and she felt by making a stand it would make a difference, and it will."

Judge Mark Bury told the jury Oliver had been accused of a previous incident of sexual assault.

However, he said he was not planning to send Oliver to jail, despite his behaviour.

Calling for reports, Judge Bury said: "I make it plain I'm not intending to send him to prison but I wonder whether he is a candidate for some kind of supervision.

"There is a suggestion he has done this before."

In 2007, Oliver was accused of sexually assaulting a woman during a job interview in his office. He later texted her to say she had the job.

The woman went to the police but decided not to press charges.

Judge Bury ordered Oliver to sign the Sex Offenders' Register until he considers the reports.

Judge Bury told Oliver: "Neil Oliver, you have been convicted by a jury of a distressing offence of sexual assault.

"You heard me say I have some concerns about your behaviour and before I pass sentence I want to read a pre-sentence report from the Probation Service about you.

"I make it plain I'm not intending to send you to prison but I need to know if some assistance from the Probation Service can be provided to me in the way of rehabilitation.

"You must sign the Sex Offenders Register. I do not yet know if you will remain on it. It will depend on the sentence I ultimately pass on you."

Oliver will return to court in December for sentencing.

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