Man jailed for raping woman in her own home

Churcher made threats to his victim which left her fearing he would return

A man has been jailed for raping a woman in her own home during an attack which the victim said left her experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Ben Churcher, 22, of Muggleton Road in Amesbury, Wiltshire, was handed a 28-month long sentence at Salisbury Crown Court on 31 January.

His victim told the court: "He spent so long telling me that no-one would ever believe me, but I finally feel I now have closure and people know the truth."

Churcher will also be on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Churcher raped his victim in 2020 and she lived in silence for a year before reporting the incident, the court heard.

Wiltshire Police said during that time, the victim thought about suicide and felt as though she could not talk to anyone about what had happened.

In a statement read to the court, she said: "I felt dirty in my own skin and couldn't handle feeling so alone anymore.

"My family suffered too - they worry about me and my future. They worry about leaving me at home."

Churcher was found guilty following a trial which ended on 27 November 2024.

Enduring this trial left his victim unable to sleep, focus and work, she said, as it brought all the trauma he caused her back.

"I have spent years in fear that he would come after me due to his threats," she said.

Following sentencing, Det Con Deborah Laycock said: "I'd like to thank the victim in this case for showing an enormous amount of bravery and fortitude throughout the process of bringing Churcher to justice.

"Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence is urged to report it to us. We will help you and continue to put perpetrators before the courts."