They “took turns” to sexually harass a woman at a house party and filmed it

Two men were filmed “taking turns” sexually abusing a woman at a house party.

George Johnson, of Dunkirk Lane, Whitby, Ellesmere Port, and Vincenzo Montessori, of Polden Close, Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port, were 17 years old at the time of the offence.

The now 20-year-olds abused their 20-year-old victim after attending a house party with other young people. The victim could not remember the evening, but a friend told her she had been sexually assaulted and she later reported it to the police.

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A video police discovered on a phone taken from one of the partygoers showed her being sexually assaulted by two people. Johnson and Montessori – who were identified from the footage – could be seen taking turns sexually assaulting the victim.

The footage was clear and showed the victim in an intoxicated state, so she could neither consent nor prevent what was happening to her. During the footage, Johnson attempted to rape her.

They were both arrested and later charged in connection with the incident. Montessori pleaded guilty before a trial at Chester Crown Court and Johnson was found guilty after a week-long trial.

Johnson was sentenced to ten years in a youth detention center for attempted rape and sexual assault. Montessori was sentenced to five years in a youth detention center for sexual assault.

In addition to their sentences, both are subject to a restraining order and must sign the sex offenders’ register.

After the verdict, DC Joe Duckworth said: “Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the courage shown by the victim throughout the investigation and subsequent trial. Although the video evidence appeared to speak for itself, Johnson nevertheless put her through an extremely traumatic process in which she had to relive the impact of this crime.

“I would also like to thank the jury for their fair, rational and objective approach to the Johnson trial. They too had to observe the evidence presented during the trial and I am sure this will stay with them for a long time.

“Although Johnson and Montessori were only 17 years old at the time of the crime, they knew what they were doing. This is clear from their reactions seen on video as they committed their crimes. They chose to take advantage of a woman even though she could not consent, and now they must live with the consequences of their actions.

“This crime has resulted in two young people being convicted and a woman having to live the rest of her life with the knowledge of what happened to her. This is an incredibly tough case and I sincerely hope it reminds us of the importance of having meaningful conversations about consent and the impact that intoxication can have on people’s ability to consent.

“We would also like to remind people that the victim in this case is entitled to anonymity.”

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