A teenage girl shared a harrowing experience of waking up to a sexual assault, where a man was raping her while his partner restrained her. The 17-year-old had consumed vodka shots with Robert Ellis-Evans, 39, and Sarah Vigus, also known as Parkinson, 38, in Bridgend. Prior to the assault, the couple had expressed interest in engaging in group sex with the teenager, as revealed in their messages.
The victim, upon realizing the assault, screamed and cried, recounting the traumatic impact on her life to Cardiff Crown Court. During a sentencing hearing, it was disclosed that due to intoxication, the victim had passed out or fallen asleep, only to awaken to Vigus restraining her forcefully.
Confusion turned to horror as the victim discovered Ellis-Evans penetrating her, causing her distress. While Ellis-Evans withdrew, Vigus tried to justify the act as consensual, a claim the victim vehemently denied. The victim reported the incident, leading to the arrest of both defendants the following day, with Vigus admitting to penetrating the victim but asserting it was consensual.
Following a trial, Ellis-Evans and Vigus, residing in North Cornelly, were convicted of rape, with Vigus also found guilty of assault by penetration. Despite no prior sexual offense convictions for Ellis-Evans and a history of good character for Vigus, the court issued a verdict based on the victim’s emotional testimony.
In her statement to the court, the victim described the lasting mental health impact of the assault, expressing struggles with self-worth and emotional distress. The victim’s life has been profoundly altered, leading to difficulties with intimacy and self-care. She emphasized the guilt and burden she felt, along with the challenges of facing the court and reliving the traumatic incident.
Ellis-Evans and Vigus were each sentenced to eight years and three months in prison, subject to release on license after serving two-thirds of their sentence. They were also placed under lifetime sex offender notification requirements and an indefinite restraining order.
After the sentencing, DC Jessica Pritchard of South Wales Police commended the victim’s resilience and courage throughout the investigation and court proceedings. She highlighted the victim’s strength in providing compelling evidence and praised her determination to seek justice and rebuild her life. Pritchard emphasized the importance of acknowledging the difficulties faced by victims of sexual offenses and praised the victim’s bravery in confronting her assailants.
