A Nigerian man, Ayomide Famakinde, 23, has avoided prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman near Bournemouth beach in August 2022.

According to the Daily Mail, Famakinde was sentenced to an 18-month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work after Recorder Nicholas Haggan KC described the attack as a “momentary lapse” influenced by his troubled upbringing.

The incident occurred late at night when the victim and a friend were leaving the beach. Famakinde, allegedly under the influence of alcohol or drugs, approached her and put his hands down her jogging bottoms. She tried to push him away, but they fell to the ground. A companion intervened, prompting him to leave.

In a statement read in court, the victim said the assault had left her terrified of walking alone:

 “He ruined my life… Thinking about that night still makes me feel sick to my stomach.”

DNA evidence linked Famakinde to the crime, leading to his conviction. His defence lawyer argued the offence was out of character, citing his clean record since the incident and his potential for rehabilitation.

The judge said Famakinde had “matured significantly” in the three years since the assault, ruling that a community sentence offered the best chance for reform while acknowledging the harm caused.

The case has sparked renewed debate over leniency in sexual assault sentencing, with critics arguing that punishments must reflect the lifelong trauma endured by survivors.