A 22-year-old man from Amesbury has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for rape. Ben Churcher, who lives on Muggleton Road, was found guilty at Salisbury Crown Court on November 27, 2024. The victim’s bravery in coming forward after years of suffering has finally led to justice being served.
The attack occurred in 2020, but the victim remained silent for a year, enduring severe emotional distress, isolation, and even suicidal thoughts before reporting the crime to the police in 2021. In a powerful statement to the court, she said, “I felt dirty in my own skin and couldn’t handle feeling so alone anymore. My family suffered too—they worry about me and my future. They worry about leaving me at home.”
The trial took a significant toll on her mental health, causing sleepless nights, difficulty concentrating, and challenges at work. She also faced intimidation from Churcher’s friends and family, who accused her of lying. She added, “I have spent years in fear that Ben would come after me due to his threats. Ben spent so long telling me that no one would ever believe me, but I finally feel I now have closure and people know the truth.”
On January 31, Churcher was sentenced to 28 months in prison, with half of the sentence to be served behind bars before release on licence. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and given a 5-year restraining order prohibiting any contact with the victim.
Detective Constable Deborah Laycock commended the victim’s courage, stating, “I’d like to thank the victim in this case for showing an enormous amount of bravery and fortitude throughout the process of bringing Churcher to justice.” She also encouraged other survivors to come forward, assuring them of police support and a determined effort to prosecute offenders.
Wiltshire Police urge all victims of rape and sexual assault to seek help and report crimes. Confidential support is available through trained officers and partner organisations. More information and resources can be found on the Wiltshire Police website.
Originally published by UKNIP.
