The girl, 17, said she now ‘grieves for the person she was’ following the disturbing incident that left her trying to ‘rebuild’ her life. Robert Ellis-Evans, 39, and Sarah Vigus, 38, have been jailed
A young girl recalled the horrific moment she woke up to find she was being raped by a man as his partner held her down.
The 17-year-old victim had spent the night drinking vodka shots Robert Ellis-Evans, 39, and Sarah Vigus aka Parkinson, 38, of Bridgend. The couple, who carried out the sexual assault, had previously indicated a desire to take part in group sex with the teen, in messages between them.
Upon realising what was happening to her, the victim screamed and began crying. She told Cardiff Crown Court about the devastating impact the incident has had on her, reports WalesOnline.
A sentencing hearing at the court on Monday heard the victim passed out or fell asleep due to her level of intoxication. Upon waking, she found Vigus was hovering over her with her hand around her waist with a forceful grip and applying pressure in order to hold her down.
She wasn’t sure what was happening to her, but then realised Ellis-Evans was holding up her legs and was penetrating hee. After becoming extremely upset, Ellis-Evans withdrew and pulled up his clothes as Vigus attempted to calm the victim down, claiming she had consented, but the victim knew she had not done so.
The victim later reported the incident to her parents and the police were called. Both defendants were arrested the next morning, and denied raping the victim. Vigus made admissions to penetrating the victim’s vagina with her fingers, but claimed it was consensual.
Ellis-Evans and Vigus, both from North Cornelly, faced trial and were both found guilty of rape, with Vigus also found guilty of assault by penetration. The court heard Ellis-Evans has no previous convictions for sexual offences and Vigus is of previous good character.
In a victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor James Evans, the victim said: “Every day I think about what happened, it’s had a massive effect on my mental health. I tried to convince myself it was a bad dream and wasn’t a big deal but then it hits me in the face.
“They took advantage of me and used me as they wanted. I tried my hardest to move on with my life but it will always stick with me. Some days I can’t leave my bed or eat, I can’t look after myself.
“I feel dirty and no matter how many times I bath or shower or scrub myself I just don’t feel clean. I feel uncomfortable in my clothes, I’ve fallen out of love with my body and who I am. I thought of self harm and suicide, I felt powerless and out of control.”
The victim added: “I blame myself for what happened and think of what I could have done differently. When I had to go into court and tell the jury I had been the victim of a sexual offence, I felt anxious, nervous and angry after realising I had been the victim of a sexual offence and had to tell strangers what happened to me and had difficulty reliving that incident.
“My life and mental health changed drastically. After two-and-half years waiting for the trial, the verdict left me feeling the opposite of relieved. Since Sarah Vigus and Robert Ellis-Evans were found guilty of rape, I’ve lived in survival mode, constantly second-guessing myself. I’ve developed an unhealthy relationship with intimacy, affecting my partners.
“I feel guilty for burdening my parents. I wear a mask, hiding my true feelings. I struggle with sleep, reliving that night, and I feel disgusted with my body. I am hoping to rebuild my life and make my parents proud.”
It was also said by the girl that she “did not want to be seen as a victim” but will have to live with the incident forever and she “grieves for the person she was”. She added: “I am not the person I used to be.”
In mitigation, John Ryan for Ellis-Evans said his client has made “considerable reflection” and is remorseful and has shown contrition. .In addition, as a result of his offences he has been unable to see his children.
Martha Smith-Higgins, for Vigus, said her client has two children, and since her remand in custody she has stopped drinking and has lost five stone in weight. She is also considered a “low risk of reoffending”.
Sentencing, Judge Lucy Crowther said: “You both violated her in an intimate way, both emotionally and physically. She was a particularly vulnerable woman.”
Ellis-Evans and Vigus were sentenced to eight years and three months imprisonment each, of which they will serve two thirds of before they are released on licence. The defendants were made subject to sex offender notification requirements for life and a restraining order indefinitely.
Following the hearing, DC Jessica Pritchard, of South Wales Police, said: “The victim has demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience throughout this investigation and during her time in court, where she provided compelling evidence to the jury. It’s important to recognise how challenging it can be for victims of sexual offences to engage with police investigations; the process is often traumatic, court dates can stretch on for months, and discussing such deeply personal experiences is never easy.
“Evidence clearly indicated that the defendants had shown a sexual interest in the victim long before the assault occurred. The victim’s powerful personal statement delivered during sentencing highlighted her courage and determination. I hope this brings her some sense of peace as she begins to rebuild her life following the judge’s decision regarding both defendants.”