Locations
County Road, Swindon, SN1
Description
The bravery of a rape survivor has been praised after a man was found guilty of rape, sexual assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
Kane Walker, 21, previously of County Road, Swindon, denied the offences but was found guilty today (08/10) following a trial by jury at Bristol Crown Court.
He has been remanded into custody ahead of sentencing on November 19.
On March 6 last year, the victim, a woman in her 20s who was known to Walker, reported to police that she had been raped by Walker and had been subjected to a prolonged period of controlling and coercive behaviour by him.
This included putting an Airtag in her bag and repeatedly turning on her live location without her knowledge, and controlling what she could wear and who she could see.
Walker was arrested and interviewed the following day.
Two days later, while on bail, Walker attempted to intimidate the victim into dropping the case and continued to assert his control over her by setting a BMW belonging to a family member of the victim on fire.
He was charged with arson and witness intimidation and was jailed for these offences in November last year.
Following an investigation by Wiltshire Police’s CID, Walker was charged with multiple sexual offences against the victim and remanded into custody ahead of a trial.
Today, he was found guilty of one count of rape, sexual assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
Major Crime Investigator Catherine Baird said:
“Firstly, I’d like to say how proud I am of the victim and how much I admire her bravery throughout this process.
“Walker attempted to scare her into dropping the case, but she showed great courage and his awful actions were then used as evidence in this trial.
“I hope today’s verdict mean she can now start to heal and move forward with her life.
“She is a survivor and took a stand against this dangerous bully, and her bravery and strength will help to protect other women.
“No woman should have to endure what Walker subjected her to.
“I am glad justice has been served and I thank the victim, the witnesses in the case and the members of the jury for helping to achieve this.”