A brave mother has spoken of her absolute horror after being raped by her friend's husband while she slept on their sofa following a night out.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had trusted Ben Priest, 32, and his wife, considering them close friends. After an evening spent together, she accepted their offer to stay the night at their Nottingham home to avoid travelling late.
In a devastating breach of trust, Priest attacked the vulnerable woman as she slept. She awoke in the early hours to find the "monster" assaulting her, an act she described as every woman's "worst nightmare".
The traumatic event in January 2022 left the victim with severe psychological scars, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. She courageously reported the crime, leading to Priest's arrest.
During the trial at Nottingham Crown Court, the court heard how the victim's life had been shattered. In a powerful impact statement, she said: "I went to sleep on a friend's sofa and woke up being raped by a monster." She described the immense struggle of rebuilding her life and trust in others after the vicious attack.
Ben Priest of Carlton, Nottingham, denied the charges but was found guilty of rape. Mr Recorder Paul Mitford KC sentenced him to six years and three months in prison. He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life.
This case highlights the horrific reality of sexual violence perpetrated by those in positions of trust and the long-lasting impact on survivors.
