'The stuff of nightmares': Leeds guest house worker sexually assaulted woman as she slept beside her husband

John Guntipilli-Souriappan sexually assaulted one of his victims as she was asleep beside her husband.

A second victim was attacked during the same evening when she returned to the premises after a Christmas party.

The 35-year-old was jailed for three years and eight months after pleading guilty to two offences of sexual assault at the Avalon guest house, Woodsley Road, Woodhouse, Leeds, on December 12 last year.

One of the victims told police after the attack: "It was like something from the TV or films. It was the stuff of nightmares."

Clare Walsh, prosecuting, said Guntipilli-Souriappan targeted one of the victims when she returned to the guest house with her husband after watching a Rod Stewart concert at Leeds Arena.

The couple arrived at the guest house earlier in the day and paid the defendant £50 for a room for the night.

Clare Walsh, prosecuting, said the couple returned to the guest house after the concert at 1.15am and went to their room.

Guntipilli-Souriappan went to the car park to look up at the couple's room.

He then switched of CCTV cameras and went into the room.

Miss Walsh said: "The complainant was laying on her side and recalls waking up to someone rubbing her back.

"She assumed it was her husband. She then felt something at her feet. In a sleepy state she thought it was her dog as she has a dog at home.

"She kicked her legs out and got up and went to the bathroom."

Miss Walsh said the woman did not turn the light on and returned to bed.

The prosecutor said the woman woke a short time later to feel hands between her legs.

Miss Walsh added: "Again she thought it was her husband. She then felt hands on her hips, turning her on her back.

"It was then as she was laying on her back that she looked and saw her husband with his back to her.

"At that stage she knew it could not be him."

The woman woke her husband and he switched on the light to see Guntipilli-Souriappan standing at the end of the bed.

The couple chased the defendant out of the room.

Guntipilli-Souriappan returned to the room moments later to asked them what the problem was.

Miss Walsh said: "He said he was phoning the manager. (The husband) said he was phoning the police. The defendant ran off again."

Police officers arrested the defendant at the guest house.

A second complaint of sexual assault was made by another guest the next day.

The woman described how she had returned to the guest house at 1.30am and Guntipilli-Souriappan had knocked on her door claiming that there had been shouting and arguing near to her room.

The woman said she had not heard anything.

Miss Walsh said: "The defendant then put his right arm around her and hugged and kissed her cheek. He then kissed her neck on the right hand side."

The woman told him to leave but he returned a short time later, let himself in with a key and turned off the light in the room.

She had to use the light on her mobile phone to light the room.

Miss Walsh said: "As she did this the defendant approached and touched her right thigh with his hand.

"His arm brushed against her breasts."

Guntipilli-Souriappan left the room when the victim told him to get out.

She left the guest house a short time later but was persuaded to report the incident the next day after telling friends about what had happened.

The prosecutor read victim statements on behalf of both women describing how they had suffered stress and anxiety as a result of the offences.

Guntipilli-Souriappan has previous convictions for battery and breaching a restraining order.

Laura Addy, mitigating, said the defendant committed the offence at a time when he was abusing alcohol and was having difficulties with his wife.

Sentencing Guntipilli-Souriappan, Judge Andrew Stubbs QC said: "You were able to use keys and turn off the CCTV system.

"To enter their rooms uninvited and subject them to the indignities that you did was, as one of the victims properly describes, the stuff of nightmares."

Guntipilli-Souriappan was told he must go on the sex offender register for life.

Detective Inspector James Entwistle, of Leeds District CID, said: “The two victims in these incidents have been left understandably traumatised by what Guntipilli-Souriappan did to them.

“They would have rightfully had an expectation of privacy and security in their rooms as guests at these premises but he completely abused his position of trust to commit these offences against them for his own gratification.

“We hope the fact he has now had to answer for his actions will help to provide some degree of comfort and reassurance to them and assist their recovery from what was clearly a very disturbing experience.”