A man who subjected a woman to a horrific campaign of sexual violence—claiming he suffered from 'sexsomnia' to justify his actions—has been jailed for 11 years.
The attacker, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, carried out a series of brutal assaults before finally being brought to justice. His defence that he was unaware of his actions due to the rare sleep disorder was dismissed by the court as a desperate attempt to evade responsibility.
A Chilling Pattern of Abuse
Over an extended period, the victim endured relentless physical and psychological torment at the hands of her abuser. The court heard harrowing details of the assaults, which left her traumatised and fearful for her safety.
Despite his attempts to blame his actions on an involuntary condition, evidence presented during the trial painted a clear picture of a calculated predator who showed no remorse for his crimes.
Justice Served
Judge Sarah Johnston condemned the defendant's behaviour as "utterly reprehensible" and emphasised that his claims of sexsomnia were "not only medically unsubstantiated but morally indefensible."
The victim, who bravely testified against her attacker, expressed relief at the verdict but acknowledged the long road to recovery ahead. Support groups have praised her courage in coming forward and hope the sentencing sends a strong message to other perpetrators.
What Is Sexsomnia?
Sexsomnia, a controversial sleep disorder, involves engaging in sexual acts while asleep. While recognised in rare cases, experts warn that it is frequently misused as a defence in sexual assault trials.
Medical professionals stress that genuine cases are extremely rare and require thorough evaluation—not last-minute courtroom excuses.
