Man jailed for rape of teenager found in car park

Rooney Gardi was found guilty of the attack after a trial in March

A man has been jailed for raping a teenager and leaving her unconscious in a car park.

Rooney Gardi, of Calne Road in Lyneham, was jailed for five and a half years at Swindon Crown Court on Wednesday after being found guilty after a trial in March.

In the early hours of June 30, 2024 his victim, now 18, was found unconscious in a car park on Dammas Lane in Swindon by members of the public.

She had no memory of the previous few hours, but was missing her underwear and had injuries to her face and body.

"I have felt a mixture disgust, shame, embarrassment, feeling scared and being overwhelmed and none of these feelings have ever gone away," she said, in a statement addressed to Gardi which was read out in court.

"I often feel that if I hadn't gone out that it wouldn't have happened, I wouldn't have drank and you wouldn't have taken advantage of me," she continued.

'A sexual predator'

"I blame myself constantly. Was my outfit too revealing? But I know this is not my fault and I know the responsibility lies solely at your door."

She added that she had been left with "shame and regret" and that she was "certainly not able to consent to anything" that happened.

Gardi, 23, was told he would need to serve a minimum term of two thirds of his sentence, and was given an indefinite restraining order.

Wiltshire Police Det Con Anna McCormack described Gardi as a "sexual predator" who "took advantage" of his victim.

Det Con McCormack added that the teenager had shown "strength and courage throughout the investigation", and thanked the people who helped her before officers arrived.

"Without their tenacity and quick thinking to contact the police and protect the scene, it is possible a lot of crucial evidence in this case could have been lost," she said.