SWINDON MAN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR STRINGENT SEXUAL ASSAULT
Town centre rapist gets 9 years for ‘prolonged attack’ Joyce Rodrigues, aged 31, was sentenced to nine years in prison today for the rape of a 24-year-old woman in the town centre.He pleaded guilty to the serious sexual offence in September 2015 during a hearing held on January 29 at Swindon Crown Court.
Rodrigues was sentenced to nine years imprisonment plus three years on licence, totaling a 12-year sentence.
The assault occurred around 3:30 am on Monday, September 14, when a 24-year-old local woman was approached in the town centre by a man who asked her to go with him, claiming he was helping a friend.
He then led her to an area near The Parade where he raped her.
Wiltshire Police launched a high-profile investigation, including leaflet distributions in the Broad Green area and media appeals involving the victim.
Rodrigues was arrested on December 27, 2015, after an officer on duty spotted him acting suspiciously near a vehicle on Queen’s Drive and recognized him from the media appeals.
Rodrigues admitted to the rape at his initial court hearing.
Detective Inspector Marj MacCallum praised the police work, stating: “Thanks to the keen, observant eye of the arresting officer, we caught the perpetrator of this horrendous crime; a man I believe could have attacked again.
The arrest is a great example of good old-fashioned police work at its best.” The victim expressed relief, saying: “I have been told that the male who raped me has now pleaded guilty and will be sentenced by the court.
I am very relieved that he has admitted to what he did to me and relieved I do not have to attend court to give evidence as that would have meant reliving the events of that evening.
I now want to begin to put that night behind me and get on with my life and face the future with the support of my family.”
