JAIL FOR SHOP DOOR RAPE

Eight years for attack on drunk stranger on night out

AMAN who raped a woman as she lay drunk in a shop doorway during a Christmas night out with friends has been locked up for eight years.

Andrew John Maylor, 38, of Fron Heulog Cottages, Dolgellau, denied the charge but was found guilty by a jury after a three-day trial at Caernarfon crown court.

Jailing him, Judge Huw Rees said: “She was alone, vulnerable and unable to care for herself and you took advantage of her.

“You raped her in a shop doorway and, in doing so, you demeaned her and yourself.”

The jury heard a van driver raised the alarm after the incident, which took place in Caernarfon town centre at about 12.45am in December last year.

Prosecutor Simon Rogers said it was their case that Maylor had sexual intercourse with the woman in circumstances “in which it would be obvious to him that she was in no fit state to consent”.

The jury heard evidence that DNA samples linked Maylor to the attack.

The jury saw a video recording of the woman’s interview with police.

Asked why she couldn’t remember anything, she said: “I was drunk.”

Cross examined by defence barrister Jonathon Austin, the woman said she had been out celebrating Christmas with friends and had drunk a significant amount of alcohol.

She did not remember saying to an officer: “No-one has done anything to me.” She didn’t know Maylor. Giving evidence on his own behalf, Maylor accepted he had spoken to the woman and had tried to help her.

At one stage, they had lost their balance and fallen to the ground.

Maylor claimed he had lifted her up at that stage and suggested that is how DNA was linked to him.

After the hearing, Detective Constable Thomas Barrett of North Wales Police said: “I would like to acknowledge the bravery shown by the victim in this case in coming forward and giving evidence.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the witnesses who had the courage to come and give their account to the court.

“I hope this sentence reassures the public that North Wales Police will relentlessly pursue those who cause the greatest harm to our community.”