A man from Swindon has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after being found guilty of raping a woman.
Charles Schneider, 59, of Freshbrook, Swindon, was found guilty of six charges of sexual assault by touching, two of sexual assault by penetration and two charges of rape following a trial at Swindon Crown Court last month.
He was handed a 15-year jail term on 16 March at Swindon Crown Court.
The court had earlier heard how Schneider subjected his victim to sexual assaults over a number of months.
Sergeant Matthew Gamble said: “Schneider’s actions have caused understandably significant amounts of stress to his victim. She has suffered with her mental health as a consequence, which has had a huge negative impact on both her private and professional life.
“I want to highlight the dignity and courage that she has maintained through this extremely distressing time.
“I hope that today’s sentencing will provide her with some closure so that she can start to rebuild her life.”
In a victim impact statement provided to the court, the victim described the enormity of her ordeal: “What Charlie has done to me has massively affected my ability to trust others. I now worry about people's motives and things like jokes and comments get to me a lot more than they ever did.
"I have noticed simple every day things are now more stressful. I recently got a taxi on my own with a male driver and I realised how uncomfortable I now felt in that situation. I am way more wary of any physical proximity to me.
"I am grateful that Charlie has been found guilty as now I can start to feel safe for the first time in years. It feels like the end of a horrific period in my life. I don't feel it means I can move on, because it still happened and I still have to deal with it, but it does begin to help."
A spokesperson for the force added: "If you’ve been the victim of rape or sexual assault we would urge you to report it at the earliest opportunity. There are many different ways you can report it to us, either by calling 999 in an emergency, or 101. Alternatively you can talk directly to a police officer or report online."
More information and support group information can be found here: How to report rape and sexual assault | Wiltshire Police
Alternatively those who would rather not report to the police can seek medical help and advice from a sexual assault referral centre here: Support for victims of rape and sexual assault | Wiltshire Police
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