Rape survivor urges victims to come forward
Devon and Cornwall Police said it was the second time Furneaux had faced trial on the charges after a previous jury failed to reach a verdict
- Published
A woman who was raped about 30 years ago has urged other victims to come forward after her attacker was jailed.
Brian Furneaux, 66, of Ipplepen, Newton Abbot, was sentenced to 13 years in prison at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday 3 October after he was convicted of the non-recent sexual assault and rape of a child.
The former Badminton England coach was convicted on two charges of rape and nine charges of sexual assault of a girl under the age of 16.
“After a long time has elapsed it is difficult to resurrect past trauma and it has been a long and difficult process but I would urge others who have experienced similar to come forward," said the woman. "You will be supported and heard."
'Did not count on her bravery'
The court was told the offences occurred in multiple places in Devon during the 1990s when the girl was 15 and at school, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
The prosecution said Furneaux groomed the teenager before sexually assaulting and raping her.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the victim reported the incidents to them in 2021 and Furneaux was arrested on 23 April in the same year.
He pleaded not guilty but, following a trial, he was convicted of all the offences.
Police said Furneaux was ordered to sign the sexual offenders’ register for life and will be barred by the disclosure and barring service.
In his summing up when passing sentence, His Honour Judge David Evans said: "You hoped the past would remain uncovered but did not count on her bravery.”
The woman has thanked Devon and Cornwall Police, "especially DC Tamsyn Dingley and DC Deborah Ward".
She said: "For me, my only motive in coming forward was to safeguard other young people and I feel we have achieved that with this outcome.
“I will be forever grateful to my husband, parents, family and friends who have supported me and shown me love throughout.”
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