A man has been found guilty and sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Monday, June 20 in connection with a rape in Hemel Hempstead.
Robert Wells, aged 32, from Springfield Road in the town, was convicted following a six day trial. He has been sentenced to six years and five months imprisonment.
The incident occurred at an address back in September 2019.
Wells had been helping a woman to decorate a flat and had occasionally slept over on the sofa.
On the night in question, Wells entered the victim’s room where she was sleeping and sexually assaulted her in her own bed.
An investigation was carried out by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT) and Wells was charged with rape.
Detective Constable Caroline Niwaz, who led the investigation, said: “I would like to praise the victim for her courage in coming forward and for the dignity she has shown throughout the trial. I hope today’s result will allow her to move forward.”
Becoming a victim of sexual assault is never your fault. If you’ve been a victim, no matter how long ago the offence occurred, please report it. We have specialist officers on hand to provide advice and support throughout an investigation. The constabulary also has a number of officers who are specially trained to provide support to members of the LGBT+ community.
You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via the online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101.
Anyone in Hertfordshire who has experienced sexual abuse or sexual violence can contact the Herts Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for practical and emotional support. The centre can arrange face-to-face support, sexual health referrals, and provide forensic medical examinations for those who want them. This service is open to everyone – men, women and young people, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
To contact Herts SARC, call the 24/7 helpline on 0808 178 4448, email Herts.SARC@nhs.net or visit www.hertssarc.org.
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