Sex offender committed rape and four other offences against a teenage girl.

Swindon Sex Offender Jailed for Eight Years for Rape and Other Offenses Against Teenage Girl

Aaron Lee Alan Ferris Roberts, 33, of no fixed abode, Swindon, was sentenced to eight years in prison at Truro Crown Court on April 18 for rape and four other offenses against a teenage girl.

The offenses occurred in Cornwall between May and September 2020. Roberts was found guilty by a jury after a two-day trial in December 2023.

The court heard that the victim disclosed the abuse to her family in May 2021, leading to a police investigation. Evidence presented during the trial revealed Roberts had sent inappropriate images of himself to the victim via social media, forced her to engage in sexual acts, and raped her.

Police recovered messages sent by Roberts to the victim where he said: "have to do it again one day," referring to the sexual acts. He also suggested they delete the messages.

When arrested in November 2021, Roberts denied all allegations, claiming: "I'm telling you now, I wouldn't do any of that." However, the jury found him unanimously guilty of rape, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child, attempted rape, and sexual communication with a child.

In addition to the prison sentence, Roberts will be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Investigating officer, DC Distin, praised the victim's bravery and courage in coming forward: "Nothing will take away the trauma that she has been through, but we hope that some reassurance can be offered in knowing that supporting a prosecution has brought this man to justice. We truly hope that this outcome gives other victims the strength to come forward and report incidents of rape and sexual assault to police and reassures them that we have mechanisms in place to help support victims throughout the process."

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Andy Shortern, echoed these sentiments: "We welcome today's sentence, I would like to thank the victim for reporting to us and supporting the investigation. This result would not have been possible without the victim's courage."