A Swindon man, Carl Wallis, aged 38, from Brookdene, has been handed a 10-and-a-half-year prison sentence for a non-recent rape incident. The verdict was delivered today, February 23rd, at Swindon Crown Court, following a conviction reached during a three-day trial held in December 2023.
Wallis will also be required to register as a sex offender for life and will be subjected to a restraining order concerning the victim.
It follows an incident in 2016 where he took advantage of his victim whilst she was passed out, and unresponsive, which was only discovered six years later on a mobile phone.
In a Victim’s Personal Statement, the victim expressed her profound shock upon discovering the video and images, stating, “I was in total shock…I felt sick. I feel dirty and humiliated…I will never be free from the monster.”
DC Anna McCormack, the investigating officer, said: “Every sexual assault has a huge impact on victims. In this incident the victim discovered the offence had taken place when she was at her most vulnerable; asleep, and by someone she trusted.
“I’d like to thank her for her incredible bravery by reporting the offence and giving evidence during this trial. Without her continued assistance, the outcome would not have been possible.
“I’d encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault to please report it, do not suffer alone. We understand it can be difficult. You might not be completely sure what happened or how to talk about it. Our trained officers and partner organisations are here to listen and work together to support you in any way we can. Importantly, your information could help us bring the offender to justice and make sure you, and other people in a similar situation, are kept safe.”
You can find more information on Wiltshire Police’s website: How to report rape and sexual assault | Wiltshire Police or you can call 999 in an emergency
If you don’t want to go to the police, you could go to your local sexual assault referral centre (SARC).
The trained staff there can give you confidential medical help and advice. They can also gather evidence for you to use at a later date if you decide to report the assault to the police. They won’t contact the police unless you want them to.
