Today, Friday 15^th July 2011, Martin Leo Warden, aged 38, from Swindon, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court to 13 years imprisonment for six rapes and an assault.

The offences were reported to Wiltshire Police in September last year and an investigation commenced immediately, as a result of which Warden was arrested and charged with the assault and six counts of rape of a 35 year old local woman.

He pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all the charges, but on Tuesday 7^th June 2011 was found ‘guilty’ of the seven offences at Swindon Crown Court.

Detective Constable Andrena Rhodes, the investigating officer, said: “Throughout this investigation, Warden has shown little remorse for his actions and no consideration for his victim, having put her through the ordeal of a trial.

We are pleased with the sentence imposed by the court today which reflects the seriousness of the offences and the impact that it has had on the victim and her family, and we hope that it will go some way to helping her come to terms with what has happened to her.

She has shown tremendous courage throughout this investigation and without her continued assistance this trial would not have been possible.

I hope that her courage, together with the result of the court today, will encourage other victims of abuse to come forward.

Even if you don’t want to report the abuse to police, I would urge you to tell a trusted adult who can report it on your behalf, not only so that the offender can be identified but to ensure that you are provided with the appropriate help and support.”

Anyone wishing to report sexual abuse should contact Wiltshire Police’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team on 0845 408 7000. Alternatively they can contact the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Swindon on 0808 168 0024.