Rapist sentenced to nine years
A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for raping an Oxford University student last summer. His accomplice has been sentenced to three years on a charge of sexual assault.
The prosecution told the court that Aoan Gonzales, 32, treated his 22 year old victim “like a piece of meat” and that the trial had been an “emotional rollercoaster” for her as she was forced to relive events. The attack occurred on June 10th when the student, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was celebrating England’s victory over Paraguay in the football World Cup.
Detective Constable Lucinda Bevan, who was working on this case, said, “The victim went with friends to a barbeque on Cowley Road and had drunk alcohol and taken cocaine. “Gonzales and another man, Muhammed Shojai, went back with her to Shojai’s house on Rich- field Road in Reading. Her next memory is of being on a bed, being raped vaginally and orally. “Her memory was very hazy owing to the drugs and alcohol. In her words she was ‘wasted’.
Gonzales, a Royal Mail worker living on Cowley Road, was convicted on two counts of rape on March 31st of this year. Shojai, 30, was convicted of sexual assault and received a threeyear prison sentence. Both men deny all charges and claim the student had consented to sex. The sentencing took place at Oxford Crown Court on Friday 27th April.
Judge David Morton Jack told Gonzales he would be on the Sex Offenders Register for life and recommended that Shojai be deported back to his home country, Iran. DI Bevan said, “We advise young people, particularly young women, to drink sensibly and obviously not take cocaine at all. “However, if you are going to mix drink and drugs, make sure you have a personal network of friends who will look after you and ensure your safety.
The victim’s testimony took half a day to relate to the court, at which both defendants also gave evidence. Statements were read out to the court but there were no other witnesses. Hertford College Women’s Of- ficer, Emma Forman commented, “While it is great news that this dangerous individual has been convicted, this case shows how personal safety is something everyone, especially women, should always be aware of.
There were 13 reported rapes from January to March last year in Oxford alone.
3rd May 2007