Man guilty of raping woman a decade ago

AMAN from Wiltshire has been found guilty of a rape that he committed almost a decade ago.

Robert Miles, 37, of Rabley Wood View, Marlborough, was found guilty by jury at the end of a trial at Swindon Crown Court yesterday.

In 2014, Miles, pictured, assaulted his victim in a private house. It took her five years to get the courage to report the crime to the police, and the events of that night have had a lasting effect on her.

In a victim impact statement she said: “I am suffering mental ill health in that I recognise in myself I feel numb and angry. I try to ignore these emotions put them into a box, but I cannot.

“I have had employment in the time since reporting to the police this matter but sadly I have not been able to ‘hold down’ any new job due to the trauma of the events of July 2014 and the long-lasting effects this crime has had upon me. I have at all times low selfesteem. I feel my quality of life has been greatly impacted in many ways... and I feel no end is in sight to change this.”

Detective Constable Clare Sylvester-Wyness said: “This has been a long and gruelling time for Miles’ victim. The trial has been set four times previously but has been rescheduled due to the Covid pandemic and the barrister strike. I would like to thank her for her bravery and courage to seek justice. “Miles took advantage of his victim’s good nature. She was offering him some friendly support when he was going through difficult personal circumstances, but it was during this support that the offence took place inside a private house.

“We would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to come forward and tell someone. We understand it can be difficult. You might not be completely sure what happened or how to talk about it, but we have trained officers and partner organisations that are here to listen and work together to support you in any way we can.

“Importantly, your information could help us bring the offender to justice and make sure you, and other people in a similar situation, are kept safe.”

Miles is due to be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on November 13.