Juan Miguel Figueroa-Ball, a 44-year-old instructor at Ceres Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, was sentenced to eight years in prison at Reading Crown Court on October 8 for sexually assaulting a woman who had come in for a free trial class.
He had invited the woman to a complimentary one-to-one introductory session at his studio.
On July 21, 2023, during what should have been a routine roll, he assaulted her.
A jury found him guilty on August 25 after a six-day trial, and cleared him of a separate sexual assault charge from the same encounter.
The judge also imposed a 10-year restraining order, and he will stay on the Offenders Register for life.
The case took more than three years to resolve. The woman chose to read her own personal statement aloud in court rather than have it read for her.
Temporary Detective Sergeant Jennifer Cox of Thames Valley Police’s Harm Reduction Unit led the investigation and praised her conduct:
This was a traumatic offence which has had a lasting impact on the target. Throughout a lengthy investigation and trial process spanning more than three years, she showed remarkable courage and resilience.
By reading her Personal Statement in open court herself, she demonstrated immense bravery and dignity. Her courage and determination to see this case through has helped ensure the offender was held accountable for his actions.
Cox also thanked the investigators, specialist staff and justice partners involved in securing the outcome.
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