Gareth Druce 33

Description

A rapist pretended to help a woman home before pocketing her keys and returning the same night to attack her. The victim was in no condition to consent.

Gareth Druce, 33, of Blaenau Ffestiniog, observed and followed the victim, who had become ill after drinking. Another man was helping her to walk home, but was struggling to keep her on her feet.

A sentencing hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court on Monday heard the defendant offered to help but upon entering the victim's home, he took her keys. After initially leaving with the other man, he returned later that night and raped the victim in her home.

CCTV footage showed Druce returning to the victim's home alone, a key piece of evidence which led to his conviction. Footage also showed the defendant's behaviour in the hours leading up to the incident, when he had been observing and following lone women.

It was also discovered he had carried out a sexual assault on another woman two months before the rape. Druce, of Church Street, was found guilty of rape following a seven-day trial. He also pleaded guilty to the sexual assault charge.

Recorder I Jones sentenced the defendant to 12 years imprisonment, with an extended licence period of four years, after being found to be a dangerous offender. He was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and two restraining orders.

Following the hearing, Ceri Ellis-Jones of the CPS said: There could be no suggestion that the victim would have been in any position to give her consent to sexual activity. The defendant deliberately targeted the victim who was vulnerable and, under the pretence of helping her, was able to enter her property.

The police built a strong case against the defendant utilising the CCTV and digital enquiries. By working together, we were able to secure a conviction for the victim."