TWO Wirral men who sexually assaulted a woman following a night out in Liverpool have been jailed.

Alex Stormont, now 23, of Woodchurch Road in Oxton, and Taylor Johnson, also 23, of Edgbaston Way, Bidston, both assaulted the woman at a hotel in Liverpool city centre in March 2018.

Following the assault their victim came forward to police immediately and the pair were arrested within days.

They both denied any wrongdoing, however evidence was recovered from their mobile phones and social media accounts of the planning of the incident and also of their views of women as sexual objects.

Both were found guilty of sexual assault following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court in December 2020 and both were jailed for three-and-a-half years.

They have also both been ordered to sign the sex offender register for life.

Detective Constable Claire McDonald said: "Despite the overwhelming evidence both men chose to plead not guilty and put their victim through the ordeal of a trial.

"I am pleased that the jury saw through their lies and they were rightly convicted and have now been sentenced to jail terms.

"Due to Covid restrictions the case has proved to be long and drawn out and I would like to praise the victim who throughout this ordeal has shown great courage.

"I hope today's sentencing will not only provide her with some comfort, but also encourage other victims to come forward and have the confidence in us as a police force to take reports seriously and ultimately to ensure offenders are put before the courts.

"If you have been the victim of any sexual assault, there is help and support available to you.

"Here at Merseyside Police we have specially trained officers who will listen to you and treat you with sensitivity and compassion.

"There are also a number of reliable and trusted organisations and charities who will support you from your initial report, right through the court process and beyond.

"Anyone with information or wants to report a sexual offence is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

"Support for victims is also available through the registered charity the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside, who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063 or Rape and Sexual Assault Merseyside (RASA) on 0151 558 1801. In an emergency, always call 999."

Merseyside Police, alongside three other forces, have also been part of a pilot project for a new service to report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences online – with the option to report anonymously.

The new online Rape and Sexual Assault reporting service is now live on the website https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/