An Isle of Wight man who raped a woman as she slept has been jailed for seven years.

Ross Lacey, of Gort Road, East Cowes, was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, July 26.

The 37-year-old was convicted of rape on December 7, 2023, following a jury trial at Isle of Wight Crown Court.

In early 2019 the victim had been asleep and under the influence of alcohol and medication, when Lacey took advantage of her and raped her, court heard.

She described feeling violated and ashamed as a result of his actions, and later found the courage to report it to police in May 2021.

Lacey was subsequently charged with the rape in February 2022, which he denied.

The case went to trial on December 4, 2023 and Lacey was later found guilty by the jury.

How to seek help if you have been affected by sexual abuse

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On Friday, he was jailed for seven years and handed an indefinite restraining order.

The officer in the case, police staff investigator Louisa Parkin, said: “Reporting this incident to police took enormous courage, as did finding the strength and resilience to see the case through to this point.

“The victim in this case not only suffered a horrific sexual assault, but she was left with feelings of shame because of what Lacey did to her. Lacey will now spend a considerable amount of time in prison because of this.

“Rape and sexual offences have a long-lasting impact on survivors, 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.”