Locations
Baardwyk Avenue, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8
Description
A 29-year-old man from Essex who raped a woman as she slept has finally been locked up.
Marti Reynolds, of Baardwyk Avenue, Canvey Island, Essex, was found guilty of the offence which took place in the seaside town of Bournemouth, Dorset.
The terrible crime happened when Reynolds had been out on a night out in 2017 with a fellow student in the town centre.
His victim returned to her address that night and invited Reynolds to stay over as a friend. She woke to discover Reynolds raping her and proceeded to get away and leave.
The following Friday, she told police what had happened and Reynolds was arrested the same day.
Reynolds was convicted of the offence on Wednesday, December 9 last year 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 last Friday (March 5), 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 offence 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 offences 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.