WILLIAM LONG FROM ST AUSTELL SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS FOR RAPE IN CORNWALL

A disturbing case has emerged involving William Long, a 22-year-old man from the St Austell area, who was convicted of raping a woman he had previously supported through his mental health struggles. The incident dates back to June 2021, when Long was just 17 years old, and the victim was a woman who had extended her kindness and assistance to him during a difficult period in his life.

According to court proceedings held at Truro Crown Court, the relationship between Long and the woman initially developed through social media interactions. As their friendship grew, the woman, showing compassion and concern, invited Long to stay at her home in Cornwall for a couple of nights. The arrangement was intended to provide him with a safe space and support, but it took a dark turn during the second night of his stay.

On that night, as the woman was lying on her sofa, seemingly on the verge of falling asleep, she was suddenly confronted with Long, who was no fixed address but known to be from St Austell. He was found on top of her, undressing her, and then proceeded to commit a sexual assault. Despite her pleas for him to stop, Long continued his assault, showing no regard for her protests. The woman managed to break free from him and fled upstairs to her brother’s room, seeking safety.

Immediately after the assault, the woman contacted the police, leading to Long’s swift arrest. He faced charges of rape and sexual assault, and during a trial in December of the previous year, a jury found him guilty on all counts. The court heard that Long had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been detained in a psychiatric hospital under the Mental Health Act for two years. He was released once deemed mentally fit to stand trial, but the court emphasized that his mental health issues did not diminish the severity of his actions.

In a victim impact statement read aloud in court, the woman described how the ordeal had profoundly affected her over the past four years. She recounted how Long had