A teenager described the horrifying experience of waking up to a sexual assault, where a man was raping her while his partner restrained her. The 17-year-old had consumed vodka with Robert Ellis-Evans, 39, and Sarah Vigus aka Parkinson, 38, from Bridgend, who had expressed interest in engaging in group sex with her prior to the assault.
The victim recounted the distressing impact of the incident during her testimony at Cardiff Crown Court. She disclosed that after passing out or falling asleep due to intoxication, she awoke to find Vigus holding her down with force while Ellis-Evans was sexually assaulting her. Despite claims of consent by the perpetrators, the victim vehemently denied giving permission for the act.
Following the assault, the victim reported the incident to her parents, leading to the arrest of Ellis-Evans and Vigus. Both defendants denied the rape allegations initially but were later found guilty in court. Ellis-Evans had no prior sexual offense convictions, while Vigus was described as having a good character before the incident.
In her statement to the court, the victim expressed the profound psychological impact of the assault, detailing struggles with mental health, body image, and self-harm ideation. She described feeling dirty, disconnected from her body, and experiencing significant distress and guilt.
The defendants were each sentenced to eight years and three months in prison, with a requirement to serve two-thirds of the term before being eligible for release on license. They were also subjected to lifelong sex offender notification requirements and an indefinite restraining order.
In response to the sentencing, Judge Lucy Crowther emphasized the violation suffered by the victim and the vulnerability of the woman involved. DC Jessica Pritchard of South Wales Police commended the victim’s courage and resilience throughout the investigation and court proceedings, highlighting the importance of supporting victims of sexual offenses during the challenging legal process.