OFFENDER JAILED FOR LIFE AFTER BRUTAL RAPE IN DINAS POWYS
A Dinas Powys housewife who was raped in her own bed has seen her attacker get an eight-year prison sentence and a lifelong sex offender registration.Aaron Gaughan, aged 21, left the 51-year-old woman feeling "dirty, degraded and humiliated" following the attack on August 14.
At Cardiff Crown Court last Tuesday, Gaughan, who has a lengthy record of 93 previous offences, pleaded guilty to rape and burglary.
He had been in prison until four days before the assault for assaulting a police officer.
The victim, whose husband and daughter had just left for work, was confronted by Gaughan in her bedroom after taking a bath.
She told police: "I knew from the look on his face what was going to happen.
I tried to get away but couldn't - I thought he was capable of killing me." During the assault, Gaughan forced his face onto the victim with an "evil" look in his eyes and said: "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Afterwards, he made her take another bath to wash away any evidence.
He then helped himself to lemonade from her fridge before fleeing.
The prosecutor described the victim as feeling "dirty, degraded and humiliated," unable to use the bath anymore, and with to have someone accompany her when she showers.
She was happily married but now sleeps separately from her husband and suffers severe flashbacks.
Following the attack, Gaughan went to his mother's home in Tenby, where he admitted what he had done and turned himself in.
He stated he had smoked cannabis, heroin, and taken amphetamines after his release, and had entered the house to steal jewellery.
He "vaguely remembered" having sexual intercourse with the woman.
Defence lawyer Peter Davies said Gaughan was "disgusted with himself" and emotionally devastated, stating that the incident would haunt him forever.
Judge Peter Jacobs described the offence as "terrifying," emphasizing that the victim was "happily married" and that Gaughan was "obviously in a highly charged state," capable of killing her.
He also pointed out Gaughan's "appalling" criminal record.
As a result, he ordered Gaughan to register as a sex offender for life.
Gaughan grinned as he left the dock.
