Victim of Marlborough rape speaks of 'misplaced shame' as rapist sentenced

The victim of a traumatic sexual assault has spoken out about her experience, in a bid to encourage more victims of rape to come forward to police.

Killian Hutchinson, 20, appeared before Winchester Crown Court yesterday (June 17), and pleaded guilty to raping the woman as she slept.

On February 29 last year, he had been on a night out in Marlborough before he returned to a property in the town.

In the early hours of the morning, his victim awoke to find Hutchinson sexually assaulting her before raping her.  During her ordeal she told officers that she felt unable to move either out of fear or because she was intoxicated. 

The woman later awoke to find that some of her clothes had been removed. She disclosed the sexual assault shortly afterwards to her mother who then reported it to the police.

Hutchinson was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment after pleading guilty to rape.

Winchester Crown Court

The survivor of this ordeal, who wishes to remain anonymous, has said: “Due to the sensitive nature of these cases, it’s hard for victims like myself to have a voice.

“I’ve had to sit in silence while the case was ongoing. Now it’s over, I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who has experienced this type of crime to come forward.

“A lot of work is ongoing to improve conviction rates and encourage men and women to report these offences at the earliest opportunity. But also know that it’s never too late.

“I’m not going to lie and say this process was easy because that’s just not true. Quite frankly it’s the toughest thing I’ve had to do, despite being spared a trial. 

“I felt immense shame, I felt like nobody would believe me, I felt like it would go nowhere and I’d had done all of this for nothing. But know that none of this is true, those who love you will believe you, the shame you may feel is misplaced. And it won’t all be for nothing.

“You may not get your own personal justice. But you may give someone else the strength to come forward. You will be doing what you can to create a world in which your daughters and sons know how they are supposed to be treated and will not stand for anything less. 

“It’s going to take me a long time to heal, it doesn’t just end here.”

On top of his jail time, Hutchinson must also abide by the terms of a restraining order prohibiting him from making contact with his victim and he will be listed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Ross Duff added: “I would like to thank the victim who has supported the investigation from start to conclusion. 

“She has shown courage and bravery throughout the whole judicial process and I hope this may bring some closure for her.

“Crimes of this nature will not be tolerated by Wiltshire Police and they will be fully investigated.  

“We, along with our partners, will support victims of these types of offences from initial report to court.”