A party host has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman who was half his age who had fallen asleep in his bed after an all night drink and drugs binge.
Eric Norris joined the woman after she went to the bedroom in his flat and ignored her protestations as he put his hands inside her trousers and touched her private parts.
The 24-year-old victim fled from his home in Pilton Causeway, Barnstaple, in tears and told a friend she had been raped.
Norris, aged 50, was found guilty of sexual assault by penetration by a jury at Exeter Crown Court but cleared of rape after they were unable to reach verdicts and discharged.
Mr Malcolm Galloway, prosecuting, said the police and the victim had been consulted and it had been agreed they would not seek a retrial on the rape allegations.
Recorder Mr Paul Dunkels, QC, adjourned sentence, released Norris on bail, and ordered a probation pre sentence report.
He told him:"You musty understand the fact I am granting you bail should not be taken as any indication of the eventual sentence. This is a serious matter and all sentencing options will remain open."
Norris, of Pilton Causeway, Barnstaple, denied two counts of rape and one of sexual assault. The jury were discharged from returning verdict on the rape counts and he was found guilty of the assault by penetration.
During a four day trial the jury heard how the victim, had been drinking for around 18 hours on and off and had already gone to sleep twice in Norris's bed before getting up and carrying on.
She had smoked cannabis with other people at the flat and eventually gone to bed in the morning. She said she made it clear to Norris she was not interested in any form of sexual activity.
She said he joined her, put his hands inside her clothes and touched her and had gone on to force her to have sex despite her repeatedly saying no and struggling with him.
The defence argued that her memory of what happened was impaired by her consumption of drink and drugs.
Norris told both the police and the jury he had joined her in bed and said he had touched her. However, he insisted she had been an enthusiastic participant and consented to everything he did.
He said they had never had full sex and said there encounter had been confined to groping, kissing and cuddling.
