Hereford man sentenced to five years for sexual assault

A 24-year-old man has pled guilty at Worcester Crown Court and has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for sexual assault of a girl 13 to 15.

Jarrod Matthews, of Belmont Road, Hereford, was convicted of seven counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 years. He was sentenced on Friday 14 February for the assaults that took place in 2018.

Hereford CID Detective Constable, James Moore said: "We welcome the sentencing of Jarrod Matthews who pled guilty to sexual assault.

“The victim has shown incredible bravery in coming forward, and although there may be more tough times ahead, I hope this sentence will help her have a sense of closure.”

He continued: “I hope this conviction will encourage other victims of sexual assaults to speak out in order to gain the justice they deserve.

“We want victims to know that they can contact police in complete confidence, we will treat their reports seriously. If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, recently or in the past, please contact West Mercia Police on telephone 101.”