ROBERT SMITH FROM AMMANFORD SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN HIS HOME

A man from Ammanford has been sentenced to prison after admitting to the serious crime of raping a woman inside her own residence. Robert Smith, aged 26 and residing on Penygarn Road in Ammanford, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Monday, 24 February, where he pleaded guilty to the charge of rape. Today, he was handed a sentence of five years and four months behind bars for his actions.

According to court proceedings, Smith entered the victim’s home under false pretenses, claiming he was there to perform a “welfare check.” The incident took place on the evening of Tuesday, 2 July, 2024, when the defendant took advantage of the woman while she was asleep in her bed. The court was informed that the victim was unaware of Smith’s presence in her home at the time and had no prior relationship or acquaintance with him.

It was revealed that Smith and the victim had coincidentally met earlier that evening at a mutual friend’s house, where they both consumed alcohol. The court noted that there was no reason for Smith to have entered her residence later that night, especially under the pretense of a welfare check, which the victim strongly denied having any connection to.

The following morning, Wednesday, 3 July, 2024, the victim awoke with no memory of the events of the night before. She was shocked to find herself undressed and in pain, leading her to believe she had been subjected to a serious sexual assault. She promptly contacted the police to report the incident.

In her statement, the victim described feeling “physically dirty and disgusting in the aftermath of the assault,” emphasizing how difficult it was to articulate the profound impact the attack had on her. She described feeling as though she had been treated inhumanely, likening the experience to a violation of her fundamental rights to make choices about her own body. The emotional toll was evident, as she recounted how her life had been turned upside down following the assault.

The court heard that the victim was so traumatized that she decided to move away from the area out of fear for her safety. The repercussions of the attack extended beyond the physical and emotional pain; she faced financial costs associated with relocating and ongoing psychological struggles. She revealed that she now suffers from short-term memory issues, feels exhausted, vulnerable, and often lost in her daily life.

Reflecting on the lasting effects of the assault, the victim told the court, “I will never escape what that man did to me.” Her words underscored the deep and enduring trauma caused by Smith’s actions.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Carl Pocock expressed his commendation for the victim’s bravery in coming forward. He highlighted that Smith’s guilt was strongly supported by DNA evidence, which left him with little choice but to admit his guilt in court. Despite the victim’s lack of recollection, the forensic evidence spoke volumes in establishing the facts of the case.

Sergeant Pocock emphasized that while no punishment can undo the harm caused, he hoped the outcome would offer some measure of solace to the victim as she begins the process of rebuilding her life. He also urged others who have experienced sexual assault to come forward, assuring them that the police and specially trained officers are committed to handling such cases with compassion and professionalism. The investigation team worked tirelessly to ensure justice was served, and they remain dedicated to pursuing offenders of sexual violence within the community.

The victim expressed her gratitude to the officers involved in her case, as well as her independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA), who provided her with practical and emotional support throughout the process. She also made a plea for the public to refrain from speculating or sharing details about the case on social media, emphasizing that she is not the only victim involved. She expressed sympathy for Robert Smith’s family, acknowledging that they would be deeply affected by his imprisonment. The victim stressed that targeting his family online would be unfair and that they should not be held responsible for his actions.