Portsmouth Man Jailed for Sexual Assaults on Two Women
Zackery Stephen Bell, 28, from South Avenue, Portsmouth, was sentenced last Thursday (June 23) at Portsmouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to sexual assault.
Attacked Victim After Responding to Facebook Marketplace Ad
The court heard Bell targeted a woman in her 20s from Waterlooville in December 2020. He went to her home in response to a Facebook Marketplace ad. Inside, Bell forcibly kissed the victim and groped her over her clothes before being disturbed and fleeing.
Despite the assault, Bell messaged the victim on Facebook, asking to meet again. The victim reported the attack to police the following day, leading to Bell’s arrest and charge.
Boxing Day Assault Lands Bell Extra Jail Time
While on bail for the first assault, Bell struck again. He stayed with another woman he knew in Chichester live, supposedly sleeping on the sofa. But in the early hours of Boxing Day, he entered her bedroom while she slept and sexually assaulted her. She woke up and shouted him off.
Harsh Sentence and Lifelong Orders
Bell was handed six years behind bars—four years for the Sussex offence and two for the Hampshire attack. He also received a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a lifetime restraining order covering both victims, and will remain on the sex offender register for life.
“These were extremely traumatic ordeals for the women involved,” said Detective Constable Keeka Crewe-Way from Hampshire Constabulary. “I cannot commend their courage enough for coming forward and their strength through this process.”
“Thanks to these brave women, we secured a guilty plea and brought Bell to justice. In today’s digital age, people must feel safe using online marketplaces without threats from predators like Bell.”
Detective Constable Jason Berney from West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations added, “It took great bravery for the first victim to report this, especially as Bell was known to her. She stood strong despite Bell fleeing and was vital in his capture and conviction.”
