Gabriel Philip Chirwa, 38, of Holders Road, Amesbury, was sentenced today (04/04) to 18 years of imprisonment, followed by four years on extended licence, for four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
He will be forever bound by a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), prohibiting any contact with the victim and any unsupervised interaction with individuals under the age of 16.
In August 2022, the occurrences were reported to Wiltshire Police following the victim’s courageous disclosure of the abuse, which occurred over a two-year span, to her mother.
Gabriel Philip Chirwa was promptly apprehended and then charged with the charges after an investigation.
Gabriel Philip Chirwa refuted the charges, necessitating a jury trial at Winchester Crown Court in December of the previous year.
The jury subsequently convicted him, and he was sentenced today to 18 years of incarceration.
In a Personal Statement, which we are releasing with the victim’s approval, the victim said: “He had made me completely disgusted with myself, I was so young. I ask myself why me?
“Now, I’m not doing as bad, but my life is still a massive mess three years later.
“You [Gabriel Philip Chirwa] never cared. I hope you will care when I am free to live the life that you can’t.”
Speaking after the sentencing, DC Fiona Rawlings of the Child Abuse Investigation Team said: “Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the victim for her courage and bravery that she has shown.
“It must have been extremely difficult for her to report the abuse in the first place, and she has shown incredible bravery throughout the process, which has taken more than two years.
“I appreciate the toll that the abuse and the subsequent police investigation and court process has had on her and her mental health and I recognise that impact of it will take a long time to heal. Hopefully today’s sentencing can bring an element of closure and she can look to move forward.
“Without her continued assistance, today’s outcome would not have been possible.
“I’d also like to thank the victim’s mother for her support throughout the process.
“Gabriel Philip Chirwa is an incredibly dangerous offender who has shown absolutely no remorse despite the horrendous abuse he inflicted on a young girl.
“His continuous denial of the offences forced the victim to relive the experiences through a trial, requiring her statement to be played to the court, adding to the trauma he had already inflicted.
“I’m pleased he will now spend a substantial amount of time behind bars.”
If you have been sexually abused, or know someone who has, please report it to us by calling 999 or through our website.
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.