SAUL HENVEY SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN CEREDIGION AND MAINTAINING MANIPULATIVE BEHAVIOUR IN WALES

A notorious offender responsible for multiple sexual assaults over a span of two years has received a severe 27-year extended custodial sentence. Saul Henvey, whose criminal activities predominantly took place in Ceredigion, subjected three women to brutal attacks, employing manipulative tactics to dissuade them from reporting the crimes and even attempting to distort the nature of his actions by claiming he was acting out of love.

Henvey, who was homeless during the time of his offenses, managed to evade capture for a period, prompting an extensive police manhunt across the region. Authorities issued warnings to motorists not to pick up hitchhikers along the roadside, fearing that Henvey might continue to pose a threat to the community. His flight ended when law enforcement located and apprehended him following a series of investigative efforts that linked him to the woodland rape incident. After his arrest, further victims came forward to share their experiences, leading detectives to revisit prior allegations and strengthen the case against him.

The court proceedings in Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court laid out the details of Henvey’s crimes. One of the most serious incidents took place in May 2021 in Lampeter town centre. According to court evidence, Henvey approached a woman and after chatting for some time, they decided to go for a picnic in a nearby woodland area. Initially, the meeting appeared innocuous, but suddenly Henvey's demeanor turned violent. He violently assaulted the woman, tearing off her clothes, threatening her, and placing his hands around her throat before sexually assaulting her. The court revealed that during the assault, Henvey repeatedly told the woman, “It is not rape but love,” an attempt to manipulate her perception of his actions.

The police responded swiftly, arriving at the scene shortly after the incident was reported. Henvey was quickly spotted but managed to escape, leading to an intense overnight search operation. At that time, authorities warned local drivers not to pick up hitchhikers, fearing that Henvey was still at large and potentially dangerous. His arrest the following day finally brought some relief to the community.

Following media coverage of the Lampeter woodland attack, another victim came forward, revealing that Henvey had raped her twice in her own home while she was sleeping. These assaults occurred just two weeks prior to his arrest. Law enforcement then revisited an earlier allegation from January 2020, where Henvey had also committed a rape in a victim’s home. In that case, the court heard that Henvey initiated contact while the woman was working in her garden, then gained entry to her house after inviting her in for a drink. Both these earlier incidents involved Henvey manipulating the women into not reporting his crimes.

Prosecutor Nicola Powell described Henvey’s actions as a “campaign of rape,” emphasizing the traumatic impact on the victims. Each woman provided statements detailing the profound psychological effects the assaults had on them, leaving one woman feeling unable to trust any man, while all reported feelings of vulnerability, anxiety, and fear.

The accused, Saul Rowan Henvey, aged 47 and originally from Tregaron in Ceredigion, had previously been convicted of four counts of rape in a separate trial. His criminal record also includes offences such as shoplifting, public disorder, drug possession, and dishonesty crimes, but he has no prior convictions related to sexual offences before these recent incidents.

Representing Henvey, solicitor Lewis Perry stated that the defendant had been “living off the grid for many, many years” and highlighted his ongoing mental health struggles. Perry argued that Henvey “clearly needs ongoing treatment with specialist help.”

However, Judge Catherine Richards expressed her disapproval of Henvey’s actions, noting that his crimes had caused “devastating” harm to the victims. After reviewing three psychiatric reports, the judge indicated she was not convinced that Henvey’s offending was solely attributable to mental health issues and determined that a hospital order was not appropriate.

As a result, Henvey received a long extended sentence, comprising 21 years in custody followed by a six-year extended license period. The sentence includes a hospital and limitation direction, with Henvey initially detained in a secure hospital where he will remain as long as necessary for treatment. If it is deemed that his detention in hospital is no longer required, he will be transferred to serve the remaining custodial time in prison. Under current law, he must serve two-thirds of the custodial sentence before being eligible to apply for parole, with the Parole Board making the ultimate decision regarding his release. Additionally, Henvey will be registered as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

In a statement following the sentencing, Dyfed-Powys Police Detective Inspector Adam Cann expressed his relief and emphasized the significance of the court’s decision. He stated, “The sentence handed to Henvey today is welcomed, and we hope it will give some comfort to his victims and allows them to move on with their lives. As officers, we have witnessed the devastating effect Henvey’s heinous violent actions had on his victims. Despite this, they have shown incredible strength, bravery, and determination to see the investigation through and help us ensure he is locked up where he can’t do the same to other women.”

Cann concluded by affirming police commitment to tackling such crimes, reassuring the public that Dyfed-Powys Police will not tolerate such terrible offences and encouraging victims to come forward without fear, promising that their voices will be heard and justice pursued.