Yonas Gebreysus, 32, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of rape and theft in a Bristol court. The incident, which occurred in the late hours of June 4, 2023, involved Gebreysus assaulting a woman whom he encountered on Lamb Street, Bristol, around 23:30.

The court learned that Gebreysus engaged the woman in conversation before misleading her to a secluded area where he committed the rape. Afterwards, he stole her mobile phone, a move that prosecutors argued was to prevent her from immediately contacting the authorities or seeking help.

Following a trial in May, Gebreysus, who is of no fixed address, denied all charges but was found guilty. He is mandated to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before eligibility for release on the license is considered. Additionally, his information has been entered into the sex offenders’ register.

During the sentencing at Bristol Crown Court, the victim’s statement was shared, illustrating the profound emotional and psychological toll the attack has taken on her life. She described a significant change in her lifestyle, cutting off most of her social interactions and imposing a curfew on herself to avoid being out late at night.

"I feel shame and guilt about what happened to me even though it’s not my fault. I don’t know what I did to cause this person to do what he did to me," the victim expressed in her statement.

In response to the victim’s impactful statement, Judge Moira Macmillan praised her resilience and determination not to let the incident define her life.

Acting Detective Sergeant Alastair Lea of the Bristol Police also commended the victim for her bravery both during the investigation and the trial. He emphasized that the guilt should lie solely with Gebreysus, who manipulated the situation to escalate his victim’s vulnerability.

"The perpetrator of any sexual offence is the only person who should feel shame or guilt. Our message to anyone else who is a victim of any form of sexual assault and is worried about coming forward is that we will believe you, we will investigate and we will help you access support services," Det. Sgt. Lea stated.

More from: Convicted Sex Offenders · The South · UK Regional News