Rapist jailed for 8 years after attack on 19-year-old woman in Southsea who he targeted while she slept
A man who targeted a woman while she slept has been jailed for eight years after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault.
Aaron Horsfall, 30, of no fixed address, was found guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman at an address on Waverley Road in Southsea on September 19 last year. He was sentenced on Thursday, March 20 following a four-day trial at Winchester Crown Court with police commending the victim’s bravery.
DC Sam Kelly from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s specialist Operation Amberstone team said: “Horsfall’s sentence sends a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated. He targeted a woman while she was asleep.
“I’m pleased that this sentence will finally provide some closure to his victim. I’d like to commend her bravery and I hope this case encourages others to speak out and seek support if they have been victims of sexual assaults.
“We take all allegations of rape and sexual assault extremely seriously and have specially trained teams that can investigate these kinds of offences and provide support to victims. If you have experienced these kinds of offences, it is our promise to you that you will be heard and listened to, and your report will be believed.
“We are determined to put victims first and relentlessly pursue offenders, especially when investigating these kinds of cases”
Horsfall was found guilty of two offences of rape, and one of sexual assault. As well as being sentenced to eight years in jail, Horsfall will have to sign the sex offenders register for life.
Police are hoping that this sentence will give victims of sexual assault the confidence to contact the police. A Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said: “We want to encourage anyone who has been affected by sexual assault to contact police on 101, where you can speak to an officer in confidence.
“We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to talk to police about what they have experienced. Please be reassured that there are other services available that can offer you specialist support to help you deal with the impact of abuse.”
Further information on the sexual abuse support services available can be found on the police website: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/support-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/