Essex Man Sentenced for Rape

A 29-year-old man from Essex has been sentenced to four years in prison for raping a woman while she slept.

Marti Reynolds, of Baardwyk Avenue, Canvey Island, Essex, was found guilty of the offense which took place in Bournemouth, Dorset in 2017.

Reynolds had been out on a night out with a fellow student in Bournemouth town centre when his victim, after returning home, invited him to stay as a friend. She woke to discover Reynolds raping her and managed to escape.

The following Friday, she reported the incident to the police and Reynolds was arrested the same day.

Reynolds was convicted of the offense on December 9th, 2020, following a trial at Salisbury Crown Court. He was found not guilty of a second rape charge involving a different woman.

At Bournemouth Crown Court on March 5th, 2021, he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment.

Detective Constable Christopher Panther of Dorset Police said: "Marti Reynolds targeted his victim as she slept and at no point had she given consent. She was taken advantage of by someone she believed she trusted. I would like to thank her for coming forward to report this offense and for the courage she has shown in standing up to Reynolds to say what he did to her was wrong and supporting the court process. I hope this case will again demonstrate that Dorset Police takes these offenses extremely seriously. We will always listen to and support anyone who reports matters to us and offenders will be held accountable for the crimes they commit."

If you have been a victim of rape or sexual assault, and you want to report directly to the police please call 101 and ask to be put in contact with a specially-trained police officer.