Former Premier League player sentenced to 16 years in prison after raping two women

16 July 2024, 16:43

A former Premier League footballer has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of raping two women in separate attacks.

Nathan Ashton, who played for Fulham and Charlton during his time in English football, assaulted two women over an eight-year period.

The 37-year-old told a victim: “You will survive” after attacking her in the back seat of a car in 2015.

Fearing that no one would believe her, she waited five years before telling the police.

Eight years later, he attacked another woman while she was sleeping in a friend’s bed.

One of Ashton’s victims said she would “never forget” the consequences of his brutal attack.

In a statement, she wrote: “Because of what he did to me, I have been afraid of men ever since – and always will be.”

“The feelings I have for him are disgust and hatred. I consider him a despicable human being.”

His second victim, who now suffers from panic attacks, reported the “far-reaching and devastating effects”

In sentencing, Judge Mathew Turner said: “You used your physical strength to do what you wanted, without empathy or compassion for your victims.”

“You are manipulative and focused on yourself and your own sexual satisfaction.”

In 2015, Ashton was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to a series of armed robberies.

Investigators said at the time: “Given the amount of evidence against Ashton, he had no choice but to plead guilty.”

Ashton’s football career began in 2005 at London club Charlton Athletic before signing for Fulham two years later.

He then had brief spells at Wycombe Wanderers and AFC Wimbledon before retiring in 2014.