The quiet of a North Yorkshire hotel was shattered when Brett Whittaker launched a terrifying attack, forever altering the life of a hotel employee.
A York jury delivered a swift and unanimous verdict, convicting the 44-year-old on four counts of sexual assault after less than two hours of deliberation. The evidence, the judge declared, was “overwhelming,” including Whittaker’s own DNA left behind during the assault.
The victim was forced to relive the ordeal, bravely giving evidence against Whittaker, who had pleaded not guilty to all charges. He testified to being trapped in a room, physically overpowered by a much larger and stronger assailant fueled by alcohol.
The judge, Simon Hickey, condemned Whittaker’s actions, stating he demonstrated a disturbing “propensity to assault not just young females but also young males.” The attack wasn’t an isolated incident, but a continuation of a deeply troubling pattern.
Whittaker’s history revealed two prior convictions for sexual assault, a fact initially unknown to the jury. Further investigation uncovered a previous conviction for attempting to involve a child in a sexual act, painting a grim picture of his predatory behavior.
Defense counsel argued the assaults were part of a single, continuous event exacerbated by alcohol. Whittaker claimed to have maintained sobriety since his release from a previous prison sentence, battling a long-standing struggle with alcohol dependency.
Despite these claims, the jury’s decision was resolute. Whittaker was sentenced to imprisonment and placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years, requiring him to notify police of his whereabouts.
Adding another layer of restriction, the judge imposed a ten-year sexual harm prevention order. This order prohibits Whittaker from staying in any paid accommodation without first informing the police, a measure designed to protect potential future victims.
Whittaker, described as having no fixed address, had travelled extensively for work as a labourer. Now, his movements will be closely monitored, a consequence of his violent and predatory actions.
He had already spent two months in custody awaiting trial, but the sentence reflects the severity of his crimes and the lasting trauma inflicted upon his victim.
