'Predator' attacked three women in two days

Woundoson Gabre was sentenced to 13 years in prison

A "predator" attacked three women within two days - raping one victim at knifepoint.

Woundoson Gabre, 21, of Saltash Road, Rodbourne, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty one count of rape, two counts of attempted rape, actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

He was sentenced to 13 years in prison, plus a further five years on extended licence.

One of his victims said: "This man scared me so much from that night that I no longer have the privilege of living my life without fear.”

In the early hours of 29 May 2022, Gabre targeted the first of his victims, a woman in her 50s, in an alleyway between Corporation Street and Aylesbury Street, Swindon, while she was walking home from a night out.

He attempted to rape her before a member of the public intervened, at which point Gabre pretended that he was also trying to help the victim, while also calling 999 himself, lying to officers about the incident and claiming to have been assaulted himself.

On 30 May, the day after attempting to rape his first victim, Gabre targeted two more women in separate incidents.

At around 01:30 BST, Gabre physically assaulted a woman in her 30s on Manchester Road, punching her multiple times before trying to rape her.

She was able to fight back and flee on Gabre’s bicycle.

Later that day, at around 20:00, Gabre brought his third victim, a woman in her 30s, back to his house in Saltash Road before raping her at knifepoint.

'I keep reliving what happened'

The victims said in personal statements that they have not been able to put the incidents behind them.

Victim 1 said the scar on her face is "a constant reminder of what happened that night".

She added: "Emotionally, I haven’t had any type of relationship with a man as I’m not interested in intimacy anymore.

"This whole process has been hanging over me for over two years, so I haven’t been able to put it all behind me and get on with my life.”

Victim 2 added that aside from the physical injuries, the incident also affected her mentally.

"My depression has got a lot worse since the attack, I keep reliving what happened and I can’t seem to get it out of my head," she said.

Victim 3 added: “The attack I sustained by this man was so horrific to me that I have had to have several months of counselling, and I have been diagnosed with having PTSD."

Complex investigation

Investigating officer DC Emma Rossiter said: “Gabre is a predatory individual who targeted three vulnerable women within a 48-hour window."

She added his "horrendous actions" scarred the three victims "both physically and mentally".

“It has been a complex and lengthy investigation since the first incident as Gabre has continually lied to officers, giving false statements about incidents and obfuscating facts in attempts to cover his tracks.

“It’s for that reason that he has also been charged and convicted of perverting the course of justice.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the three victims for their strength and patience during this process and I hope this sentencing brings an element of closure for them," Ms Rossiter said.