Rapist jailed after attacking woman in her own home

Sparks raped a woman in her home in December 2021

A man has been sentenced to four years and seven months in prison for raping a woman in her own home.

Rick Sparks, 43, of Buckhurst Crescent, Walcot, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday after an application to change his plea to not guilty was dismissed.

After pleading guilty in early 2023, he later accused his counsel of pressuring him into it and tried to revoke the plea.

Following his sentencing, his victim said: "The relief I felt when his guilty plea wasn’t overturned was immeasurable. I finally have my life back."

'Incredibly brave'

On 28 December 2021, Sparks raped his victim at her address and was charged with the crime the following December.

A hearing on 3 May 2024 dismissed Sparks’ application for his guilty plea to be withdrawn.

Det Con Alex Doughty said: “Mr Sparks has done everything he could in this case to make everyone else out to be a liar and to make himself come out on top.

"I am glad to see him finally be convicted as a rapist and receive a custodial sentence."

Sparks was also put on the sex offenders register indefinitely, given an indefinite restraining order and ordered to pay a £190 surcharge.

"His victim has been so incredibly brave throughout this police investigation and I wholeheartedly commend her for coming forward to report such a personal and horrific crime," Ms Doughty added.

In a statement read to the court, his victim said: "I have survived and I can move on to becoming me again."