Victim's bravery praised as Amesbury man jailed for rape

Tuesday, 4 February 2025 06:05

A man from Amesbury has been jailed for raping a woman in her own home.

Ben Churcher, 22, of Muggleton Road, Amesbury, was given a 28-month sentence on January 31st at Salisbury Crown Court.

He will be on the sex offenders register for 10 years, and a restraining order prohibits him from contacting the victim for five years.

Churcher raped his victim in 2020, and she lived in silence for a year before reporting the incident to the police in 2021.

During this year, the victim thought about suicide and felt as though she couldn't talk to anyone about what had happened.

In a statement read to the court, Churcher's victim said: "I felt dirty in my own skin and couldn't handle feeling so alone anymore.

"My family suffered too - they worry about me and my future. They worry about leaving me at home."

Churcher was found guilty following a trial which concluded on November 27th, 2024. This trial left his victim unable to sleep, focus and work as it brought all the trauma he caused her back.

The victim said: "I have spent years in fear that Ben would come after me due to his threats.

"I repeatedly had his friends and family call me a liar and I felt like I couldn't step outside my house most days.

"Ben spent so long telling me that no-one would ever believe me but I finally feel I now have closure and people know the truth."

Detective Constable Deborah Laycock said: "I'd like to thank the victim in this case for showing an enormous amount of bravery and fortitude throughout the process of bringing Churcher to justice.

“Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence is urged to report it to us. We will help you and continue to put perpetrators before the courts."

You can find more information on reporting rape and sexual abuse on the Wiltshire Police website along with supporting agencies: Rape and sexual assault | Wiltshire Police

Wiltshire police added, "We understand reporting an offence 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."