JAMES OWEN AND ELLEN REA FROM SALISBURY SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG WOMAN

A disturbing case involving a couple from Salisbury has resulted in their imprisonment after they were found guilty of heinous crimes against an 18-year-old woman. James Owen, aged 55, and his partner Ellen Rea, aged 52, engaged in a calculated and prolonged campaign of grooming and sexual abuse over several weeks in the year 2021. The incidents took place at their residence in Salisbury, where the victim was lured under false pretenses and subjected to a series of traumatic experiences.

During a trial held in May, Owen was convicted on multiple charges, including rape, two counts of sexual assault, and conspiracy to commit sexual assault. Rea was also found guilty of sexual assault and conspiracy to commit sexual assault. The court proceedings revealed that the couple had meticulously planned their actions, exchanging text messages that detailed their intentions and arrangements. These messages served as evidence of their premeditation and malicious intent.

Owen, who works as a personal trainer, initially assaulted the young woman during January and February of 2021, under the guise of providing training sessions. The victim believed she was participating in legitimate fitness activities, but Owen exploited her trust for his own gratification. The situation escalated when the couple conspired to invite her to their Salisbury home for a dinner on February 6, 2021. During this gathering, alcohol was consumed, which the offenders used to lower her inhibitions.

Following the meal, Owen persuaded the victim to join them in a hot tub, where the subsequent assault took place. Owen raped her, and Rea sexually assaulted her, actions that have caused lasting trauma and emotional scars. The case underscores the devastating betrayal of trust and the profound impact such abuse inflicts on victims.

At Winchester Crown Court on Friday, the judge sentenced Owen to eight years in prison, reflecting the severity of his crimes. Rea received a two-year sentence for her involvement. Wiltshire Police's Detective Constable Martyn Powell described the actions of Owen and Rea as