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A sailor has been jailed for six years for raping and sexually assaulting a woman on a Royal Navy ship in international waters.
James Carnegie, 33, who was a Royal Fleet Auxiliary Motorman, was found guilty by a jury at Truro Crown Court today after he first sexually assaulted and then raped a woman.
The incident took place in 2021 while he had been working on a Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel in international waters, while it was returning to Cornwall from overseas.
The victim reported that he had first sexually assaulted her and then later raped her, physically forcing himself on her when she had explicitly not consented.
He denied the offences, and later in interview told police their interactions had been consensual - which she explicitly denied.
Along with serving six years, he will also be signed onto the sex offenders register for life.
Following his sentencing, Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Nick Williams said: 'First and foremost I would like to thank the victim for coming forward and reporting this horrendous crime, so that we could investigate and bring the offender to justice.
'I hope that the sentence given by the judge will help to bring some level of closure and also serve as reassurance to other victims of sexual offences that we fully and thoroughly investigate reports and take action.
'Carnegie brazenly denied the offences, but the jury returned a guilty verdict after their deliberation.'
District Crown Prosecutor Suzanna Butler praised the courage of Carnegie's victim.
She said: 'The victim in this case has shown immense courage in speaking out against the perpetrator of these awful crimes and supporting the prosecution.
'I am very pleased that we were able to deliver justice for the victim.
'We want every victim of sexual assault to have the confidence to come forward to report abuse, in the knowledge that support is available and that the police and CPS are committed to securing justice.'