HMP CHELMSFORD ESSEX PRISON OFFICER JAILED FOR 20 YEARS
A prison officer who raped, strangled and attacked a woman has been sentenced for more than 20 years.Ashley Bewick, 38, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty on January 12 on the first day of what have been a 10-day trial.
This was for five counts of rape, four counts of actual bodily harm, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of intentional suffocation, two counts of attempted rape, one count of non-fatal strangulation, and one count of intentional strangulation.
The prosecution said the charges dated back to 2008 and involved two women.
Bewick, who worked at HMP Chelmsford, further strangled the victim and stamped on her foot.
Bewick admitted five counts of rape to the woman and told the victim: "All I have to do is step on your neck and you would be dead." The judge noted Bewick’s guilty plea on the day of trial had spared a victim from emotionally difficult cross-examination.
Bewick was sentenced to a total of 20 years in jail for all counts, with 18 years for the first victim and two years for the second victim.
Indefinite restraining orders have been made for both victims, and on release Bewick will be on a notification request for life.
