CARDIFF MAN JAILED FOR GROTESQUE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND RAPE
A man sexually abused and raped a woman then claimed she had "dreamt" the attack, a court has heard.A judge described 50-year-old Justin Saliba's behaviour as "grotesque" and told him he had done "irreparable damage" to his vicitm.
The attack took place in 2021 at Saliba's flat in Cardiff.
The victim, who had consumed a "fair amount of alcohol" and cannabis as well as taking her prescription medication before falling asleep, was found to have been assaulted.
The court heard the woman woke to find Saliba licking her genitals and bottom before raping her.
During the assault, the defendant called the victim "baby".
The assault ended when the victim's phone rang, allowing her to flee.
She reported the incident to family members and the police were called.
Saliba was arrested, interviewed, and denied the allegations, claiming she had "dreamt" it.
Saliba was he previously convicted of sexual assault and rape, with eight previous convictions for 25 offenses, none of which were sexual in nature.
The court was told that in a statement read by prosecutor Nik Strobl, the victim said she would never get over what had happened, stating it would stay with her for life.
Saliba's defense argued that there was another side to him as a "compassionate" family man.
However, Judge Eugene Egan stated that Saliba had known of the victim's vulnerability when he molested and raped her.
The judge called Saliba's conduct "grotesque" and said he had caused "irreparable damage" to his victim.
Saliba was sentenced to 11 years in prison and will serve two-thirds of this in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.
He will be a registered sex offender for life.
