Council cleaner sexually assaulted woman in toilet at M&S, jury is told

A NOTTINGHAM City Council street cleaner sexually assaulted a woman inside the toilets of a Marks and Spencer store in the city centre, a hearing was told.

- By MARTIN NAYLOR

A jury at Nottingham Crown Court heard how David Hemsell placed his hand on the alleged victim's body and moved it to her groin area, leaving her "visibly distressed".

The 66-year-old, of Forest Fields, then left the store and was arrested the following morning when he arrived outside the same Albert Street shop, the prosecution said.

Hemsell, of Mount Hooton Road, is facing what is called a Finding of Fact hearing in relation to one allegation of sexual assault. It means he has been deemed unfit to enter a plea owing to his severe learning disabilities.

As such, rather than tasked with finding him guilty or not guilty of the charge, the jury of seven men and five women must instead conclude that he either did or did not carry out the act he is accused of.