A WELLINGTON man appeared for sentencing in Taunton Crown Court on Friday (July 24) after changing his plea to guilty on charges of sexually assaulting a woman and common assault on the same woman.

Edward Lane, aged 33, of Pear Tree Way, was handed a two years and one month jail sentence for the sexual assault and two months in prison concurrently for the common assault.

However, Recorder Simon Levene said the sentences would be suspended for two years.

The case was heard in the crown court’s temporary premises in the North Somerset magistrates courthouse in Worle, Weston super Mare, while Taunton’s Shire Hall undergoes a major restoration project.

A more serious charge of assault causing actual bodily harm was dropped when Lane admitted the common assault.

Prosecuting barrister Ehsanul Oarith said the offences happened two years ago at an address in Wellington on or about June 2, 2024.

Lane, who initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea last month and was represented by barrister Harry Ahuja, was also ordered to pay a victim fund surcharge of £187.

Mr Levene said Lane would be required to register with and report to police as a sex offender for 10 years and to undergo up to 35 days of rehabilitation activity with the probation service.

He also imposed a restraining order on Lane not to in any way contact the woman, whose identify was protected by law, and not to attend any address where he could reasonably believe she was present.

The order also banned Lane from entering any private residence unless the occupant at the time gave him permission to do so.

Mr Levene said the restraining order would last for 10 years until July 23, 2036.

He said Lane might also be made subject to a barring order preventing him from working with children and/or vulnerable adults.