DOMONIC ROWAN SENTENCED FOR RAPE NEAR BURY ST EDMUNDS AFTER SEVEN-YEAR WAIT

A man has been sentenced to prison for the serious crime of rape that took place in the Tuddenham area, close to Bury St Edmunds, nearly seven years ago. The offender, 58-year-old Domonic Rowan, who has no fixed address, was brought before Ipswich Crown Court where he received a sentence of 12 years in prison, followed by an additional six years on licence.

This conviction comes after a lengthy six-day trial held in March of this year, during which a jury found Rowan guilty of the offence. The victim, whose account was supported by evidence presented during the trial, reported that she was raped in February 2017 while she was at her home address. At the time of the incident, Rowan was operating under an alias, identifying himself as Aaron Royer.

Following the offence, Rowan managed to evade law enforcement authorities for several years, using multiple aliases in an apparent attempt to avoid detection. It was not until 2022 that he was finally located, in Blackpool, where he was apprehended by police. The court has determined that Rowan will serve at least two-thirds of his prison sentence before being eligible for parole, reflecting the severity of his crime.

Detective Sergeant Harger, who is part of the Safeguarding and Investigations team based in Bury St Edmunds, commented on the case. He stated, “This outcome demonstrates our unwavering commitment to securing convictions against offenders, regardless of how much time has passed since the offence. Rowan was clearly determined to evade capture, but this conviction underscores our dedication to bringing such individuals to justice. I also hope it encourages other victims of similar offences to come forward with confidence. We have specially trained officers who work closely with victims of rape and sexual assault, ensuring they receive the support and justice they deserve.”