A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of raping a woman as she slept at a property in Llanrwst.
The attack
The offence took place in August 2021. The victim was asleep when she woke to find Sion Douglas Griffiths, of King Edwards Street, Barmouth, sexually assaulting her. Despite telling him to stop and physically trying to push him away, Griffiths continued his attack. He only stopped when she told him again to cease.
Griffiths denied the charge against him.
Trial and sentence
He stood trial at Caernarfon Crown Court in March of this year, where a jury found him guilty of one count of rape. He was subsequently sentenced at Mold Crown Court to seven years’ imprisonment.
In addition to the custodial sentence, Griffiths was made subject to a lifetime restraining order prohibiting any contact with the victim. He will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
Impact on the victim
A powerful personal statement was read to the court on behalf of the victim, in which she described the significant effect the attack has had on her life in the years since, including suffering panic attacks and feeling scared and uncomfortable around men.
Police response
Detective Sergeant Owen Taylor of North Wales Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit spoke following the sentencing.
He said:
“I welcome today’s sentence which sends a clear message that sexual violence in any form is not acceptable.
“I would like to praise the courage and determination of the victim who has endured a protracted process to get to today’s result. Her strength is commendable.
“If you have been the victim of a sexual offence, please be assured specialist officers will take your report seriously and conduct a suspect focussed investigation.
“Violence against women and girls is a force priority and we will relentlessly work to bring offenders to justice.”
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