BEN CHURCHER FROM AMESBURY SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN HIS HOME

A resident of Amesbury, Ben Churcher, has been sentenced to prison after being convicted of raping a woman inside her own residence. The incident, which took place in 2020, led to Churcher, aged 22 and residing on Muggleton Road, being sentenced on January 31 at Salisbury Crown Court. The court handed down a prison term of 28 months, reflecting the severity of his crime.

In addition to his imprisonment, Churcher will be required to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. Furthermore, a restraining order has been issued against him, preventing any form of contact with the victim for five years. The victim, who endured the assault in her home, chose to remain silent for an entire year before finally reporting the incident to the police in 2021. During that period, she struggled with intense emotional distress, contemplating suicide and feeling unable to confide in anyone about what had happened to her.

In a heartfelt statement read aloud in court, the victim described her emotional state following the assault. She said, "I felt dirty in my own skin and couldn't handle feeling so alone anymore." Her suffering extended beyond her own mental health, affecting her family as well. She expressed concern for her loved ones, stating, "My family suffered too - they worry about me and my future. They worry about leaving me at home."

Churcher's guilt was established after a trial that concluded on November 27, 2024. The lengthy legal process had a profound impact on the victim, who reported that the ordeal had left her unable to sleep, focus, or work, as it reopened the trauma inflicted by Churcher. She recounted her fears, saying, "I have spent years in fear that Ben would come after me due to his threats." She also revealed the emotional toll of the case, sharing, "I repeatedly had his friends and family call me a liar and I felt like I couldn't step outside my house most days." Despite Churcher's attempts to intimidate her by suggesting no one would believe her, she expressed relief at finally gaining closure, stating, "I finally feel I now have closure and people know the truth."

Detective Constable Deborah Laycock commented on the case, commending the victim's bravery throughout the legal process. She emphasized the importance of reporting sexual offences, encouraging other victims to come forward. Laycock stated, "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."