Man jailed for raping woman at address in Ryde

A man has been jailed for raping a woman known to him on the Isle of Wight.

Louis Fletcher, aged 35, assaulted the woman at an address in Ryde on the evening of 15 March 2021, after she had made it clear verbally a number of times that she did not want to have sex with him.

A lengthy investigation was launched by police, with officers obtaining text messages between Fletcher and the victim after the attack in which Fletcher indicated that he understood at the time that the woman had not consented.

Fletcher, formerly of Cheltenham Road in Paulsgrove, was charged with rape in December 2021 but continued to deny the offence.

The case went to trial at Newport Crown Court on Monday 21 August last year, before the jury found him guilty of rape on Thursday 24 August.

Appearing at Winchester Crown Court on Monday 19 February 2024, he was sentenced to 4 years in prison. He was also ordered to sign on to the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

DC Graham Skull said: “I want to commend the woman for having the courage to report this to police, and for the bravery that she has continued to show throughout the investigation and court process.

“There was evidence in this case which highlighted that Fletcher was aware the woman was not consenting. Despite this, he continued with his sexual advances which culminated in him raping the woman.

“This behaviour is appalling, and has a long-lasting impact on survivors. Fletcher will now spend a number of years in prison, and I hope that this result reassures those affected by sexual abuse that we take these allegations very seriously, and will do everything in our power to support victims and take action against perpetrators.”

If you’ve been a victim of a sexual offence, you can call police on 101 and speak to an officer in confidence.

We appreciate that not everyone is ready to speak to police about what has happened to them. There are support services, completely independent of the police, which can help you if you need support.

Visit the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website for more information on where to seek independent support in your area: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/support-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/