AARON ROBERTS SENTENCED IN SWINDON FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL OFFENCES IN CORNWALL
A man from Swindon, Aaron Lee Alan Ferris Roberts, aged 33 and of no fixed address, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences committed against a teenage girl in Cornwall.The crimes took place between May and September 2020, and Roberts was found guilty by a jury following a two-day trial held in December 2023.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that the victim, a teenage girl, disclosed the abuse to her family in May 2021.
This disclosure prompted an investigation by local police authorities.
Detectives uncovered that Roberts had engaged in a pattern of disturbing behavior, which included sending the victim inappropriate images of himself via social media platforms.
The investigation revealed that Roberts had not only coerced the girl into performing sexual acts on him but also forcibly engaged in sexual intercourse with her, culminating in a rape.
Evidence presented during the trial included messages sent by Roberts to the victim, in which he stated, “have to do it again one day,” implying future sexual acts.
He also suggested that they should delete these messages to conceal their communications.
When Roberts was arrested in November 2021 and taken for questioning, he consistently denied all allegations, asserting, “I’m telling you now, I wouldn’t do any of that.” Despite his denials, the jury unanimously convicted him of multiple charges, including rape, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child, attempted rape, and sexual communication with a child.
Roberts appeared before Truro Crown Court on April 18, where HHJ Judge Robert Linford sentenced him to eight years in prison.
Additionally, Roberts will be required to register as a sex offender for life, a measure that underscores the severity of his crimes.
Detective Constable Distin, who led the investigation, expressed his commendation for the victim’s bravery, stating, “I would like to take this opportunity to commend the victim for her bravery and immense courage in coming forward to police to report this crime.
Nothing will take away the trauma that she has been through, but we hope that some reassurance can be offered in knowing that supporting a prosecution has brought this man to justice.
We truly hope that this outcome gives other victims the strength to come forward and report incidents of rape and sexual assault to police and reassures them that we have mechanisms in place to help support victims throughout the process.” Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Andy Shortern, also commented on the case, saying, “We welcome today’s sentence.
I would like to thank the victim for reporting to us and supporting the investigation.
This result would not have been possible without the victim’s courage.”
