Rapist jailed for 13 years

A man has been jailed after pleading guilty to multiple offences against three victims, including a rape at knife point.

Woundoson Gabre, 21, of Saltash Road, Rodbourne, appeared at Swindon Crown Court today - 22 August - after admitting one count of rape, two counts of attempted rape, actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

He was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment, plus a further five years on extended licence. He will also be on the sex offenders' register for life. 

In the early hours of 29 May, 2022, Woundoson targeted the first of his victims, a woman in her 50s, in an alleyway between Corporation Street and Aylesbury Street, Swindon, while she was walking home from a night out.

He attempted to rape her before a member of the public intervened, at which point Gabre pretended that he was also trying to help the victim, while also calling 999 himself, lying to officers about the incident and claiming to have been assaulted himself.

On 30 May, the day after attempting to rape his first victim, Gabre targeted two more women in separate incidents.

At around 1.30am on 30 May, Gabre physically assaulted a woman in her 30s in Manchester Road, punching her multiple times before trying to rape her.

She was fortunately able to fight back and flee on Gabre’s bicycle.

Later that day, at around 8pm, Gabre brought his third victim, a woman in her 30s, back to his house in Saltash Road before raping her at knife point.

Following a lengthy courts process, which involved Gabre changing his plea, he was sentenced today to spend 13 years behind bars after eventually pleading guilty to the offences.  

Swindon Police have released excerpts from the three victims’ Victim Personal Statements, with their permission:

Victim 1: “Physically, the scar on my face and the lump on my chin is still visible and is a constant reminder of what happened that night. Emotionally, I haven’t had any type of relationship with a man as I’m not interested in intimacy anymore. This whole process has been hanging over me for over two years, so I haven’t been able to put it all behind me and get on with my life.”

Victim 2: “It took weeks and months for the physical injuries to heal, but as well as the physical injuries, it has really affected me mentally. My depression has got a lot worse since the attack, I keep reliving what happened and I can’t seem to get it out of my head.”

Victim 3: “The attack I sustained by this man was so horrific to me that I have had to have several months of counselling, and I have been diagnosed with having PTSD. This man scared me so much from that night that I no longer have the privilege of living my life without fear.”

Investigating officer DC Emma Rossiter, then of Swindon CID, said: “Gabre is a predatory individual who targeted three vulnerable women within a 48-hour window.

“His horrendous actions have scarred his three victims both physically and mentally and the effects of the incidents will be long-lasting.

“It has been a complex and lengthy investigation since the first incident as Gabre has continually lied to officers, giving false statements about incidents and obfuscating facts in attempts to cover his tracks.

“It’s for that reason that he has also been charged and convicted of perverting the course of justice.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the three victims for their strength and patience during this process and I hope this sentencing brings an element of closure for them.”

The police urge victims of rape and sexual assault to report offences as soon as possible.

A spokesperson said: "Even if you’re not 100 per cent sure, Wiltshire Police would sooner hear from you so that we can make sure you’re safe. 

"If you’re not ready to talk to the police just yet, that’s OK. Here you can find a range of places to get support, advice and medical help.

"You can speak to these organisations in confidence and what you tell them won't be shared with the police unless you ask for it to be."