Gary Conibear, 33, has been locked up for seven and a half years after being found guilty of raping a woman while she was asleep.
Chilling Attack After Night Out
The terrifying incident happened in June 2022 in Tidworth. Gary Conibear met the victim during a night out with friends, where they played pool and drank together. He later offered to walk her home.
Both fell asleep, fully clothed, on her bed. The woman woke to find Conibear raping her.
Judge Slams ‘Despicable’ Crime
At Winchester Crown Court, Judge Rufus Taylor sentenced Conibear to 90 months in prison. He also imposed an indefinite restraining order, banning Conibear from any contact with the victim.
Survivor’s Heartbreaking Statement
“No words will ever truly capture how these last three years have broken, changed, and reshaped me. But I will try, because I need you to understand what was taken from me, what I’ve survived, and what I still carry every single day.
“When this happened to me, I didn’t just feel hurt, I felt ashamed. I blamed myself. I asked over and over, What did I do wrong? Why me? What haunts me the most, is how he did it without a flicker of remorse.
“The assault didn’t just happen in a moment. It echoed. It infected every part of my life.
“I stopped leaving my house. For 18 months, I was locked away from the world, gripped by fear, shame, and agoraphobia. I stopped seeing my friends. I stopped seeing my family. I stopped seeing me.
“I was exhausted by the weight of what had been done to me. I was living in a constant loop of fear, shame, and despair.
“There is no justice that can erase what happened. There is no sentence long enough that can give me back the years I’ve lost, the nights I’ve cried, the peace that was stolen from me.
“But I’m here. I am still standing, scarred, yes, but not silenced.
“All I ask is this: please see the pain. Please feel the weight of what I’ve been through. Because I carry it every single day in my mind, in my body, and in the way I now live my life.”
Police Praise Survivor’s Courage
Detective Constable Sue Elway said: “The survivor has shown incredible courage working with us after enduring an unimaginable personal struggle, including two trials after the first ended in a hung jury.”
“I want to thank Horizon victim and witness care for supporting her throughout.”
“Conibear now faces a substantial jail term. I hope he reflects on his selfish and despicable actions and the harm he’s caused.”
She added a vital reminder about consent: “Consent means the other person must freely agree to the sexual act with the capacity to make that choice. It cannot be given if someone is asleep, unconscious, under duress, or too intoxicated.”
Need Help or Want to Report?
For support or to report sexual abuse, visit the Wiltshire Police website.
