A man who assaulted a woman he knew while she slept has been found guilty of a series of sexual offences following a trial at Swindon Crown Court.
Daniel Smith, 45, of Ladywell Close in North Leigh, Oxfordshire, was convicted by a jury of rape, sexual assault and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced in January.
The court heard that the first offence took place on 4 November 2023 inside a Highworth property, where Smith raped the woman, who was asleep at the time. A second incident occurred on 9 December, when Smith climbed into the same bed without her consent and assaulted her again.
The victim, a woman in her 30s, reported the offences to Wiltshire Police on 18 December, and Smith was arrested later that day. Despite pleading not guilty, he was found guilty on all counts.
Detective Constable Hemns, who led the investigation, praised the victim’s resilience throughout the lengthy process, acknowledging the emotional toll of facing cross-examination.
He said the verdict offered hope that the woman could now begin to move forward after two difficult years.
Smith will return to court for sentencing early in the new year.
