Rogan Taylor, a 24-year-old university student from the Midlands, still suffers nightmares years after being sexually abused by her TV star ex-boyfriend, Alexander Westwood. Westwood, who had minor roles in BBC's Doctors and Netflix's Sex Education, was jailed for 15 years in November 2024 at Wolverhampton Crown Court for 26 sexual offences against five victims, including children.
Abuse Began After Love Bombing
Taylor began dating Westwood in November 2018 when she was 17, after he messaged her on social media. He showered her with gifts and they moved in together after just 10 months. By 2021, Westwood began sexually abusing her, penetrating her with his fingers despite her clearly saying no, biting him, and pushing him away. The relationship ended in 2022, and she reported the abuse in 2023 after realizing it was "not normal."
In court, Taylor said: "You ruined my life, for the rest of my life, you've traumatised me for life. I take sleep medication because I still have nightmares... he's a disgusting monster."
Westwood's Offending History
The court heard Westwood's offending began when he was ten, abusing a six-year-old. Prosecutor Andrew Wallace said this led to years of "the normalisation of sexual abuse." At 18, Westwood encouraged a young boy to touch himself as part of a "game." He also abused two teenage girls who came to him for acting lessons. Westwood smirked in the dock as details were read out.
Taylor attempted suicide and began self-harming in 2021 due to the abuse. She said Westwood was "highly manipulative and controlling," holding her down "every few weeks" and telling her to lie there despite her refusal.
Support from Fellow Victims
During the trial, Taylor and the other victims formed a group chat for support. She said: "I'd message and say I was having nightmares, and we'd talk about how we're all suffering." After seeing other complainants give evidence, Taylor decided to do the same. She said: "I was gobsmacked - I didn't realise the ages of some of the victims."
Jailing Westwood for 15-and-a-half years, Judge Neil Chawla KC said he must serve at least two-thirds before parole eligibility and remain on licence for four years. Taylor believes the sentence should have been longer.
