Wakefield 2021-11-17

Aidan Hackett 29

Soldier who took a woman back to his barracks and raped her while she slept.

Profile Picture
Offender ID: O-3055

Locations

Castleford & Pontefract

Description

A soldier has been jailed for over five years after taking a woman back to his barracks and raping her while she slept. 

Lance Corporal Aidan Hackett, 27, met the woman in a nightclub in Oxford in June 2019 and they travelled in a taxi back to his room at St David's Barracks in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

The victim, also aged in her twenties, told Hackett she did not want to have sex but just listen to music together.

She fell asleep and awoke to find her clothes had been removed by Hackett. 

After fleeing the scene, she called police and Hackett was arrested the following day. Thames Valley Police charged him with rape on August 4 of this year. 

Hackett, originally from Leeds, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to rape at the first opportunity and appeared today at Oxford Crown Court where he was sentenced to five years and three months' imprisonment. 

Detective Constable Tania Wasilewski-Norman, of Oxford CID, said: 'This was a shocking example of a man taking advantage of the victim's trust and he raped her while she was asleep.

'The victim awoke to this attack and contacted the police immediately and Hackett was arrested.

'The victim underwent medical examinations as a part of this investigation, which helped us to prove that Hackett had raped his victim.

'Given the weight of evidence against him, Hackett has, at least, spared the victim the ordeal of this case going to trial by a guilty plea, and he has now been sentenced to prison as a result.

'Taking advantage of a woman who was sleeping, and therefore in a vulnerable position, is completely unacceptable.

'The victim was asleep, and it is absolutely clear that there was no consent whatsoever in this case.

'We will always take reports of rape seriously and support victims of such offences and endeavour to bring offenders to justice.' 

Detective Constable Nikki Lawton, based at Aylesbury police station, is specially-trained in victim support and she helped guide the victim throughout two year investigation.

She said: 'The victim in this case has been a true inspiration to me, and I hope she will be for other victims of this type of crime.

'She simply wanted to listen to music and talk with Hackett when she took a taxi back to his barracks, and Hackett completely abused this trust.

'Over the course of the last two years, the victim has missed out on a lot of opportunities while we brought Hackett to justice.

'I would like to offer my personal thanks and praise to the victim for her support of our investigation and understanding of the time it has taken to secure this conviction.

'I can assure any future victims of crimes such as this that they will always be listened to, believed and supported, and it is never acceptable to suffer this kind of offence. Please report it and we will conduct thorough investigations.'

Hackett will also sign the sex offenders register for life.  

An Army spokesman said: 'We can confirm that Lance Corporal Hackett was convicted of rape at Oxford Crown Court. He was sentenced to five years and three months’ imprisonment and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.'

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