A married Spalding man, who attacked the owner of a tanning salon leaving her terrified she was about to be raped, has been jailed for 21 months.
Matthew Jones turned on the woman as he was leaving the premises after a tanning session.
Graham Huston, prosecuting at Lincoln Crown Court, said that Jones suddenly grabbed hold of the woman and pushed her against a wall.
Jones then pulled her head down as if he was trying to kiss her neck.
His victim struggled in a bid to get away from him and shouted at him to stop.
Jones then stopped and walked out of the premises as if nothing had happened.
The woman told the jury: “The look in his eyes was extremely scary. He was intent and he didn’t care at all. I thought I was going to be raped.”
Jones , in evidence, said he had a congenital heart problem and grabbed the woman’s arm because he believed he was about to faint. He denied any sexual intent.
Jones (36), of Aldrin Close, Spalding, denied a charge of sexual assault as a result of the incident in December 2014 but was found guilty by a jury following a trial.
Judge John Pini QC told him: “This was not a spontaneous event. There was a degree of planning.
“This young lady was alone and was targeted. She was left crying hysterically and petrified. She said she was certain she was going to be raped.
“This was a nasty, aggressive sexual assault on a victim who was on her own at her work place. She was utterly petrified.
“This offence is far too serious for a non-custodial sentence.”
Jason Stevens, defending, said Jones worked in the family business and was of previous good character.
He urged that Jones should not be jailed and told the court: “A custodial sentence would be devastating for him and the family as a whole.”
