A 30-year-old man, Aaron Horsfall has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in Southsea, subsequent to a four-day trial at Winchester Crown Court.
Aaron Horsfall, who has no permanent residence, was sentenced on Thursday, March 20.
Aaron Horsfall was indicted in connection with the investigation of the rape of a 19-year-old lady on Waverley Road on 16 September of the previous year.
He will be required to register as a sex offender for life.
District of Columbia Sam Kelly from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s specialised Operation Amberstone unit stated: “Aaron Horsfall’s sentence conveys a definitive message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.” He assaulted a woman while she was unconscious.
“I am gratified that this verdict will ultimately offer a sense of closure to his victim.” I appreciate her courage and hope her case inspires others to voice their experiences and seek assistance if they have been victims of sexual assault.
“We regard all allegations of rape and sexual assault with utmost seriousness and have specialised teams equipped to investigate such offences and offer support to victims.” If you have encountered such acts, we assure you that your voice will be acknowledged, and your report will be taken seriously. We are resolute in prioritising victims and diligently pursuing perpetrators, particularly in the investigation of such cases.
We urge those impacted by sexual assault to reach out to the police at 101, where they can converse with an officer confidentially.
We acknowledge that not all individuals possess the confidence to communicate with law enforcement regarding their experiences. Rest confident that additional programs exist that can provide specialised support to assist you in coping with the effects of abuse.
For information and contact details regarding sexual abuse support services, please visit our dedicated webpage: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/help-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.