Man jailed for Southampton sexual assault

A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting an elderly woman in Southampton.

Philip Packham, 69, from Exford Avenue, Southampton, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in connection with an incident on 6 August last year.

At around 3.15pm that day, the victim was walking her dog in the Lordshill area when Packham began following her and stroking her hair.

This continued until she returned home and he followed her inside.

Here he exposed himself, sexually assaulted her over her clothing and then left.

The woman told her neighbour what happened, who then informed officers that were in the area.

By committing these offences, Packham breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which was imposed by Canterbury Crown Court on 18 November 2005 in connection with a separate incident.

Packham was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court yesterday (13 February) to six years in prison followed by a four-year extended licence period.

DS Caroline Price from Western Investigations said: “Packham is a dangerous predator who committed this depraved crime in the place where the victim should have felt most safe. I would like to praise her courage during the court process.

“I am pleased to see the courts reflect this in their sentence and I hope it acts as reassurance to victims that we will do all we can to make sure offenders face justice.”

If you have been a victim of a sexual offence, you will be listened to and respected from the moment you report a crime to us.

Please call us on 101 or report via our website.