A man who survived a road collision that claimed the lives of three teenagers and a university student has been sentenced to prison for a sexual assault on a woman.
Anton Dublin, who sustained brain injuries when a vehicle collided with oncoming traffic on Oxford’s Eastern Bypass in 2005, received a 32-month custodial term at Oxford Crown Court on Friday.
The prosecution outlined how the 34-year-old man entered his victim’s residence without permission on February 6 before making inappropriate sexual remarks and making physical contact.
The victim experienced significant psychological harm following the incident, suffering severe trauma and episodes of acute anxiety in its aftermath.
In her written statement to the court, the woman indicated that she had felt her personal safety was seriously threatened and that the experience would have lasting effects on her wellbeing.
Dublin, from Bicester, entered guilty pleas to two charges of sexual assault at the commencement of proceedings.
The defence highlighted that Dublin sustained permanent brain damage in the collision more than 20 years previously, in which three of his companions aged 13 perished.
Marshall Haynes, Liam Hastings and Josh Bartlett were killed alongside Howard Hillsdon, a 21-year-old student at Oxford Brookes University.
His mother Angela Dublin, who had been operating the vehicle, received a two-year prison sentence in 2006 after admitting four charges of causing death by dangerous driving.
Subsequently, Dublin pursued a civil claim exceeding £300,000 against his mother, with legal representatives stating he required specialist treatment at a neurological rehabilitation facility.
The mitigating barrister indicated that her client possessed prospects for rehabilitation with appropriate family backing.
She explained that he experienced profound remorse and possessed limited recall of events due to persistent cognitive difficulties.
She characterised the offence as an isolated occurrence uncharacteristic of his general conduct and noted his familiarity with psychological trauma.
The sentencing judge observed that the circumstances constituted a serious matter, noting that the defendant had deliberately selected his victim and violated her dwelling.
Alongside the custodial sentence, a ten-year prohibition was imposed preventing any contact with the victim.
Dublin had previously received a prison term in 2021 for assaulting and making threats to end the life of his then-partner.
At that hearing, evidence indicated he experienced sudden flares of aggression stemming from the residual effects of the collision and persistent memory impairment.
Dublin was seated in the rear of his mother’s Citroen Xsara at age 13 when she lost command of the vehicle and it struck oncoming traffic.
Seven minors occupied the vehicle, with two traveling in the rear storage area.
Just one occupant had fastened a seat restraint.
The journey followed a celebration of Anton’s birthday.