Man raped woman and only stopped the attack when others heard her cries for help

A man from Swansea raped a woman. The attack only stopped when others heard her cries for help. 22-year-old former University of Exeter student Charlie Evans ignored his victim’s pleas to stop. The ordeal lasted about 45 minutes.

Exeter Crown Court heard that the attack took place after Evans and his victim attended a party where they had been drinking. After kissing, they both left the party together. The woman believed that the defendant lived in a flat with her friend.

After returning to the apartment, the woman used the toilet before Evans raped her despite her repeated words of no. The prosecutor said the victim was crying hysterically, adding: “She didn’t want anything like this to happen.”

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During the attack, one student said he heard the victim disagreeing and begging Evans to stop. Another person said she was so worried she asked what was happening.

Police were called to the accommodation after the incident was reported to campus staff, who contacted emergency services. Evans was asked to leave his accommodation and was expelled from the university, but denied the offence when interviewed by police.

Evans, of Victoria Avenue in Mumbles, was convicted of rape and sexual assault at a trial earlier this year. He was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison at Exeter Crown Court on July 12. In a victim impact statement, the victim said her life would be changed forever by what Evans did to her. She said she was frightened, confused and ashamed during the incident and still suffers nightmares. She is now distrustful of men and has sought support to deal with her trauma, the court heard.

Defence counsel Christopher Quinlan KC told the court that Evans had several good character references describing him as a “kind and respectful” young man who had “always been positive, compassionate and considerate”. He said his client’s life was “in ruins” as a result of his actions.

But Judge Stephen Climie told the defendant he had “completely misrepresented” his victim’s position, adding: “She was so far from wanting to participate in your sexual activities that the only explanation for your attitude and actions was alcohol which blinded you to what was quite clearly and distinctly the word ‘no’.” He added: “As far as your life is concerned, the sentence I have to impose will devastate you.”

After the verdict, DC Michele Hicks of Devon and Cornwall Police’s Serious Crime Investigation Team said: “I would like to thank the complainant for her strength, for remaining committed throughout the investigation and for continuing to do so as the whole case came before the court.”

“I hope this case makes the public aware of how seriously the police take reports of sexual violence against women and girls and gives people the courage to come forward in the future.” Subscribe to our crime newsletter here to receive the latest court reports