Former Premier League star jailed for raping women becomes a hero in prison – but not for long

A vicious former Premier League star who raped two women in separate attacks is being worshipped as a “hero” by some in prison, a former inmate has said.

Nathan Ashton, who played for Fulham and Charlton, was sentenced to 16 years in prison yesterday (July 16) after being convicted of the rapes, which took place eight years apart.

One of his victims made a heartbreaking statement: “Because of what he did to me, I have been afraid of men ever since – and always will be. The feelings I have towards him are disgust and hatred. I think he is a despicable person.”

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Following his sentencing, we spoke to reformed offender Rich Jones, who gave us an insight into what 37-year-old Ashton’s upcoming treatment behind bars.

Rich, 54, is a former British Army veteran who served seven years for conspiracy to traffic cocaine. He believes the former footballer will be both revered and ridiculed – but also says he will soon be a thing of the past.

He explained that the former Premier League winger would only associate with people who had committed similar crimes until he was transferred to a Category C prison towards the end of his sentence.

“He’s not going to have any real grief,” Rich said. “In a sex offender prison, he’s less likely to be a victim of manipulation for money because sex offenders aren’t wired the same way.”

“But anyone who cares about football will have a bit of hero worship and they will have money behind them, so that’s there.”

However, he added: “His problems will start when he goes to a Cat C prison and perhaps not a sex offenders prison where there is a normal population. He would still be in the VP wing but other people can see him.”

“I think he’s being ridiculed just like everyone else. Fame only lasts a short time and it’s a classic case of news today, fish and chips tomorrow and it’s going to stay that way for a while.

“He’s going to get this hype and whenever he goes to prison it’s going to be ‘Oh yeah, we’ve got the footballer who was in prison for raping those two women’ and then you see him and that’s it.

“If you’re not really interested in the game, he has nothing to offer – and he’ll just be another sex offender.”

Ashton’s crime

Ashton chose his first victim in 2015. He drove her to a remote area and then raped her in the back seat. Afterward, he told her emphatically: “You will survive.”

It took her five years to come forward because she feared no one would believe her about the man who represented England at youth level.

And in February last year, the monster raped another woman who was sleeping in a friend’s bed and woke up to find Ashton on top of her.

She repeatedly begged him to stop and revealed to Reading Crown Court that she still suffers from panic attacks because of the traumatic experience.

Jailing him, 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 gratification.”

Prison is not new territory for Ashton. He already served a 15-year sentence for armed robberies of bookmakers.

He retired from football in 2014 after playing in the Isthmian League Division One. His career began at Charlton before signing for Fulham. He has also played for clubs such as Crystal Palace, Wycombe Wanderers and AFC Wimbledon.