A man who raped a woman as she slept on a sofa after breaking into her home has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. Sean Wilcox, of no fixed abode, was convicted following a trial at Aylesbury Crown Court.
Break-in and Assault
The court heard that Wilcox entered the property on Dulwich Close in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, through an unlocked door at around 4:30 am on July 26 last year. He had been attempting to break into vehicles in the area before testing doors of nearby homes. Once inside, he discovered a 29-year-old woman sleeping on the sofa and raped her before fleeing.
Arrest and Charges
Thames Valley Police tracked down Wilcox and detained him on August 1. He was charged the following day. In addition to the rape conviction, Wilcox admitted to six counts of theft from a motor vehicle, three counts of fraud by false representation, three counts of vehicle interference, two counts of burglary with intent to steal, and one count each of theft from a person, possession of class A drugs (cocaine), and possession of class B drugs (cannabis).
Sentence and Impact
Wilcox was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the rape and related offences. Detective Constable Jessica Cooper of Milton Keynes CID said: "The bravery and courage shown by the victim throughout this investigation has been admirable. No sentence will ever change the impact that this man has had on her life. However, we hope that this sentence provides her with some measure of justice."
DC Cooper added: "This was a deeply traumatic offence committed against a woman who was asleep in a place where she had every right to feel safe. I would like to commend the victim for the strength she has shown in supporting this prosecution and helping to ensure that Wilcox was held accountable for his actions."
Police Commitment
Thames Valley Police reaffirmed their commitment to investigating rape and serious sexual offences. "We remain committed to investigating all reports of rape and serious sexual offences thoroughly, supporting victims and bringing offenders before the courts," DC Cooper stated.
