Stephen Rye 58

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In the dock for sentencing at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, February 5, was Stephen Rye.

The 58-year-old, who was living at Rudland Close in Thatcham, had denied raping his wife – who has waived her lifelong right to anonymity with newburytoday.co.uk

But he was convicted following a trial last November.

Jurors were told that Rye had been working as a member of bar staff at Thatcham pub The White Hart around the time of the offence.

Edward Lucas, prosecuting, said Rye had been drinking but was not drunk when he violated her by committing a penetrative sex act, despite her repeated objection.

Mr Lucas said Rye would not take no for an answer and, when the woman put her hand over her bottom, he grabbed it and shoved it out of the way.

He then raped her.

In subsequent messages between Rye and his wife, which were read to the court, he appeared to admit his actions but denied it could be classed as rape.

In a victim impact statement read at Thursday’s sentencing hearing, the woman said her life changed forever that night.

Rye’s betrayal of marital trust by sexual force had led to a medical diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder (PSTD), anxiety and depression, the court heard.

She added:

“I still suffer flashbacks… [but] I finally got my justice.”

William Eaglestone, defending, said:

“His primary mitigation is [the victim’s] words – that this was out of character.

“That’s how she described it at the time.”

Mr Eaglestone handed in a number of character references from friends and former colleagues which, he said, “speak highly of his qualities as a friend”.

Judge Jane Rowley pointed to Rye’s previous conviction for sexually assaulting a child and told him:

“It is a relevant previous conviction and an aggravating factor.

“It is of concern to this court, when you have committed a [new] sexual offence.”

She said his wife had made it clear that she did not consent to the sex act, both verbally and physically, by putting her hand in the way.

Judge Rowley added:

“But you did it anyway.”

Whether or not Rye had believed he was entitled to violate his wife in that way, it constituted “an act of sexual selfishness”, said the judge.

She sentenced Rye to five-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Two thirds of that will be spent in custody and the remainder on licence in the community.

In addition, Rye was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.