Jennifer Mallee, a 28-year-old woman, has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison for sexually assaulting two women in nightclub toilets in Bournemouth.
The incidents, which occurred just 19 days apart, came to light after the first victim read about the second attack and posted on Facebook, revealing she had also been assaulted by Mallee.
The first attack took place in the early hours of New Year’s Day in 2019 at the DYMK club. The victim, a 22-year-old woman who had recently been dumped by her boyfriend, met Mallee at the club.
After consuming three rum and cokes, the victim started feeling unusually “weird” and “like a zombie,” suspecting her drink had been spiked.
Mallee, then 23, took advantage of the victim’s impaired state, leading her to a toilet cubicle where she locked the door and sexually assaulted her.
The Second Incident
Less than three weeks later, on January 20, Mallee carried out a similar attack at Cameo nightclub. She trapped another young woman in a toilet cubicle and sexually assaulted her by putting her hand up the victim’s skirt.
This attack lasted about 20 seconds. Mallee admitted to this assault and was initially given a 12-month community order and placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years.
Victims Come Forward
The first victim came forward three years later after reading about the second attack. She posted on social media, saying, “She did it to me, too.”
This revelation led the second victim to reach out to her, and they met to share their experiences. They subsequently attended court together to see Mallee sentenced.
Court Proceedings
During the trial, the court heard that Mallee took advantage of her victims’ vulnerable states. The first victim, visibly intoxicated, was led to the toilets where Mallee assaulted her.
Prosecutor Charles Gabb emphasized the sustained nature of the incident and the victim’s vulnerability due to her state.
Although the court could not prove who administered the substance that likely spiked the victim’s drink, it was evident that she was significantly affected.
In defense, Chetna Patel described the incidents as “very unpleasant” but “short, spontaneous, and fueled by alcohol.”
She argued that Mallee had not committed any further offenses in the five years since the incidents and recognized that alcohol played a significant role in her actions.
Sentencing and Reflections
Judge Robert Pawson sentenced Mallee to four years and three months in prison. He highlighted the severity of her actions, noting that Mallee’s awareness of the victim’s intoxicated state and vulnerability exacerbated her crimes.
The judge pointed out that had Mallee been a male offender, the public would expect a custodial sentence, emphasizing that the sex of the perpetrator should not influence the severity of the punishment.
Judge Pawson also issued a restraining order preventing Mallee from contacting the two victims and a sexual harm prevention order banning her from being in a public toilet cubicle with another woman. Mallee will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Community Reaction
The sentencing has sparked discussions about the impact of such crimes and the importance of justice, regardless of the perpetrator’s gender.
The case underscores the need for vigilance in nightlife environments and the importance of supporting victims who come forward, even years after the incidents.
This case serves as a reminder that sexual assault can occur in various contexts and that justice must be pursued to protect vulnerable individuals from predators, regardless of gender.
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