A SEXUAL predator who targeted women in their sleep after plying them with alcohol at a house party “spun a detailed and false narrative” to absolve himself of blame, a judge has said.

Michael Cotton, 55, was convicted on two charges of sexual assault after standing trial before a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court in July.

The court heard the defendant, of Romford Close, Colchester, filmed himself committing the offences in 2018.

Sentenced – Michael Cotton was jailed at Chelmsford Crown Court on FridaySentenced – Michael Cotton was jailed at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

One victim told the court she woke up to find Cotton sexually assaulting her whilst another said she woke up in a soundproof bedroom with no clothes on.

Julie Whitby, prosecuting, told the court Cotton had taken close-up videos when he violated his victims.

At a sentencing hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, victim impact statements were read to the judge, Richard Wilkin.

One woman said telling her family and friends about the incident was “the hardest thing she had to do in her life”.

Another victim said she would have panic attacks if she needed to go to Colchester and had considered moving away from the area.

Nick Bonehill, mitigating, said Cotton had a “period of reflection and acceptance in relation to the offence.”

He added the defendant had accepted he will serve a long prison sentence.

Sentencing Cotton, Judge Wilkin dismissed the defendant's explanation the sexual contact was consensual, describing it as “a complete lie”.

He said: “At the very least you were plying [your victim] with more alcohol than she was aware to get her into an intoxicated state.

“You spun a detailed and false narrative that you had been naked with her in the hot tub and there was talk of a threesome.

Trial – Michael Cotton said the encounters with his victims were consensualTrial – Michael Cotton said the encounters with his victims were consensual (Image: Essex Police) “That account, as you now accept, was pure fantasy.”

He continued: “She also had to suffer the indignity which suggested she engaged, when that was plainly a complete lie – this shows to me you lack any empathy for your victim.”

Judge Wilkin passed an extended sentence of 15 years and ordered Cotton to sign a sexual harm prevention order which he will be subject to indefinitely.