JOEL EVANS – CEREDIGION, WALES Victim tells court it was “awful to even breathe…

❌JOEL EVANS – CEREDIGION, WALES❌

Victim tells court it was “awful to even breathe the same air” as rapist

A young woman has spoken of the torment of facing her attacker in court after he was found guilty of rape at a drink- and drug-fuelled party in rural west Wales.

The assault happened at a remote property in Ceredigion in October 2022. The court heard that the offender, Joel Evans then aged 23, had been one of several men drinking and taking drugs at the gathering before the attack took place.

During the trial at Swansea Crown Court, the victim described the distress of having to be in the same courtroom as the man who violated her, saying it was “awful to be in the same room again and to breathe the same air.” In a statement read by the prosecution, she said the rape left her suffering anxiety, depression and “horrific nightmares,” adding that she had become frightened to leave her home and had “lost trust in men in general.”

The judge told the defendant that his judgement had been “grossly affected” by drink and drugs that night but that he had nevertheless carried out the rape. She said references submitted on his behalf suggested some people had doubted the allegation, yet the jury were certain the complainant had given a truthful account of what happened.

Joel Evans was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison, serving two-thirds in custody before being released on licence for the remainder of the term.

Getting help and support

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence or domestic abuse, confidential help is available:
• Rape Crisis England & Wales: 0808 500 2222 (24 hrs) rapecrisis.org.uk
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hrs) www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
• Victim Support: 0808 1689 111 victimsupport.org.uk