SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR 20 YEARS
Police in Dyfed-Powys have commended the remarkable bravery and resilience of a woman who endured a brutal assault in her own home, as Benjamin Guiver, a dangerous and violent offender from Pembrokeshire, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 20 years.The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, sustained severe physical injuries during the attack.
She is now grappling with the profound emotional and psychological scars left by the traumatic incident.
The police also paid tribute to a family member who arrived home during the assault and, in a courageous act, intervened and was injured in the process.
The incident unfolded on the evening of May 24, 2024, when officers from Dyfed-Powys Police responded to a distress call from a relative of the victim at an address in Goodwick, a town in Pembrokeshire.
The caller reported that the woman was covered in blood and that the suspect was attempting to flee the scene.
Officers arrived promptly and found the woman inside her home with visible facial injuries, visibly distressed and in need of urgent medical attention.
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Briggs described the scene: “She was clearly badly injured and extremely distressed, but at that moment, we did not yet understand the full extent of her ordeal.
Our immediate priorities were to ensure her safety, provide medical assistance with paramedics, and locate the suspect swiftly.” Shortly after their arrival, law enforcement officers apprehended Benjamin Guiver, a 34-year-old man from Fishguard, not far from the victim’s residence.
He was arrested in close proximity to the scene, following a series of police inquiries.
The victim later recounted in an interview that she believed she might not have survived the assault.
Her account revealed that two family members unexpectedly returned home during the attack, which disrupted Guiver’s assault and ultimately led to his arrest.
She explained that she had been asleep while watching television when she suddenly woke to find a man in her living room.
The intruder introduced himself as Benjamin and claimed he had come “to rescue her.” When she asked for his identity, he responded with a threatening warning: “Don’t ask any questions or I’ll kill you.” Despite her pleas, Guiver continued his assault outside the house, where he physically attacked her, threatened to kill her, and then persisted with the attack inside the residence.
The woman suffered the loss of several teeth and extensive bruising across her body.
Her ordeal was compounded by the fact that Guiver had earlier attempted to break into another nearby house, indicating a pattern of violent and intrusive behavior.
Following a thorough investigation, police charged Benjamin Guiver on May 26 with six serious offenses: Sexual Assault by penetration, Section 18 GBH with intent, Intentional strangulation, Trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, Threats to kill, and Assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Confronted with overwhelming evidence, Guiver pleaded guilty to all six charges during his court appearance on July 10.
In a heartfelt statement, the victim described herself as “a shell of her former self,” revealing that she constantly feels “lost, unsafe, and on edge.” She expressed her despair, stating, “I feel as though my life has been turned upside down.
I no longer feel safe in my own home, which is a feeling I have never experienced before.
I’ve always been confident and independent, but that has now been viciously ripped away from me.
I want to return to some semblance of normality, but I know what happened will haunt me for the rest of my life.” On October 31, 2024, at Swansea Crown Court, Judge described Guiver as a “violent and dangerous offender,” sentencing him to 20 years in prison for his crimes.
Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Briggs commented: “The victim has shown extraordinary courage throughout this investigation, and I commend her for her resilience.
Suffering such an attack in your own home is beyond comprehension, and it has affected every aspect of her life.
Despite this, she has demonstrated remarkable strength and has worked closely with officers to ensure justice is served.
I also want to acknowledge the bravery of her family member who intervened during the assault, risking their own safety to prevent further harm.”
