'High risk sex offender' to be sentenced for Durham bridge sexual assault
Kurtis Russell Mawson, 21, pleaded guilty to magistrates after initially denying the June attack
Last updated 21st Aug 2023
A high risk sex offender who sexually assaulted a woman in Durham City is due to be sentenced in September.
A tourist was taking pictures of the view on Prebends Bridge before 5pm on the 28th June, when she was sexually assaulted by Kurtis Russell Mawson.
The 21 year old, from Willington, near Crook, approached the woman, before ejaculating on her skirt.
In her evidence, the woman said she knew she was being approached but did not turn around, assuming he was also taking pictures of the scenery.
After noticing SNA evidence on her clothes, she asked for help from other nearby who said they'd seen a man in a brown hoodie running away.
Police were called and Mawson was promptly arrested.
Despite denying the offence, Mawson was subsequently charged with sexual assault when DNA evidence from the victim’s skirt matched his.
He appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on August 11th, pleading guilty to the offence.
He is due to be sentenced at Durham Crown Court on September 8th.
Durham Police have issued the following statement:
“Our officers worked tirelessly to apprehend Mawson and want to thank all those that gave us information from our appeal to help take such a dangerous offender off the streets.”
If you have suffered sexual abuse, please come forward and report it to us – either on 101, or in an emergency by calling 999.
If you don’t want to talk to the police, you can still access help through The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre.