Springdale man sentenced to 15 years in prison

BENTONVILLE -- Timothy Joseph Worrall, 63, of Springdale was sentenced today to 29 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction for sexually assaulting three women.

A jury found Worrall guilty Thursday night after deliberating three and a half hours.

Sexual assault in the second degree is a Class B felony which is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from 5 to 20 years; up to a $15,000 fine or both.

Worrall worked for a transportation company and was the driver who transported two of the women to medical appointments. The women testified Worrall sexually assaulted them while they were passengers on his bus. A third woman also testified that Worrall sexually assaulted her.

Worrall was arrested in March 2017. Police began investigating the first assault complaint against Worrall and learned of the other two women.

Worral denied during his testimont sexually assaulting the women.

The women testified during the sentencing phase today.

Tyler Williams, deputy prosecutor, asked one of the women, who was in a wheelchair, how the sexual assault had impacted her life. She said she became reclusive and now stays to herself. "

The chatty part is still there when I'm nervous, but mostly not," she said.

The second victim, who was also in a wheelchair, told jurors she no longer uses medical transportation because of her fears.

"If it happened once, it could happen again," she said.

The third victim said she was having health issues and the sexual assault only made her life harder.

"I want you to know Tim that you can't do this type of thing anymore," the woman said.

Worrall did not testify during the sentencing phase.

Lee Warden, one of Worrall's attorneys, told jurors Worrall, who uses an oxygen tank, is battling lung and renal cancer. Warden urged jurors to consider Worrall's age and his infirmity.

Williams told the panel Worrall had taken advantage of three vulnerable women. "Mr. Worrall is sick," she said. "His tragic life circumstances are not relevant to the harm he's caused."

The jury recommended Worrall serve five years in prison for one count of sexual assault; nine years in prison for the second; and 15 years in prison for the third one. The panel recommended the sentences be served consecutively for a total of 29 years. Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren sentenced Worrall to 29 in prison.

He will have to serve more than five years before he is eligible for parole.

"Thank you guys," Worrall told his attorneys as the bailiff was handcuffing him.

NW News on 10/27/2018

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