Woman Takes Own Life After Finding Rape Video on Partner's Phone

A 24-year-old woman, Tina Lewis, tragically took her own life after discovering a video of her partner, Edward Weeks, raping her on his phone.

The incident occurred in December when Ms. Lewis, who was autistic and described as "very vulnerable," stayed at Weeks' home in Cwmbran, Torfaen. Weeks, 33, admitted to raping Ms. Lewis while she was asleep and recorded the attack on motion-sensitive cameras he had set up in his bedroom.

The following day, Ms. Lewis discovered the video when she used Weeks' phone to play a game. Prosecuting attorney Matthew Cobbe stated that the "processes that followed the complaint" had a profound and negative impact on Ms. Lewis.

"In the weeks that followed, she agonized about the process itself but also about the effect it was going to have on the defendant," Cobbe added.

Ms. Lewis' sister, Saffron, expressed the immense pain of losing her sister in "such upsetting circumstances." She described Weeks as Ms. Lewis' full-time carer, on whom she relied for many tasks.

"The effect on our family has been devastating. I have lost my best friend," she said. "Tina was the greatest inspiration of my life."

Weeks pleaded guilty to rape and assault by penetration. Judge Jeremy Jenkins sentenced him to eight years in prison and placed him on the sex offender register for life.

Julia Cox, Weeks' defense attorney, acknowledged the tragedy of the case and described Weeks' relationship with Ms. Lewis as "complex." She also stated that Weeks is autistic.

The judge described Weeks' actions as "a very wicked act." The court acknowledged the devastating consequences of Weeks' actions, including the loss of Ms. Lewis' life.