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Four jailed for imprisonment, assault and rape in Banbury
21/05/2022
Victim: “They will serve a fraction of time in comparison to what this ordeal has done to me”
Four people have been jailed for a total of 35 years after a woman was held prisoner in a Banbury property where she was assaulted multiple times, including being raped. The victim says the effects of what happened to her will last forever.
At around 1.30am on June 21 last year the victim went to a property in Britannia Road. Inside the flat were 21-year-old Alex Azevedo of Britannia Road, Natasha Washington of no fixed abode and Sonny Weir of Pope Walk, both aged 20 and 17-year-old Argest Sallaj of De La Warr Drive.
At around midday, the victim was told that she was not allowed to leave. Weir locked the door and windows and barricaded the lounge door shut with a chair and utensils.
The victim was then subjected to multiple assaults throughout the day, including being burnt with cigarettes and having hot and cold water poured over her.
She had her nose pinched causing her to open her mouth and was then forced to inhale heroin and diazepam.
Azevedo then raped the victim.
She was finally allowed to leave the property at around 12.10am the following morning.
The victim suffered from bruises and burns over her body.
A four week trial concluded at Oxford Crown Court on March 11. Sentencing took place yesterday.
Azevedo was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of two counts of rape of a woman over 16 years of age and one count each of false imprisonment, assault causing actual bodily harm and administering a noxious substance with intent. He was sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
Washington was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of one count each of false imprisonment and administering a noxious substance with intent and five counts of assault causing actual bodily harm. She will spend eight years in prison.
Weir pleaded guilty to one count each of false imprisonment and assault causing actual bodily harm prior to the trial. He was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of two counts each of administering a noxious substance with intent and assault causing actual bodily harm. He was jailed for nine years.
Sallaj was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of one count each of false imprisonment and assault causing actual bodily harm, and three counts of battery, for which he will be locked up for three years.
Another 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found not guilty of one count each of false imprisonment and assisting an offender. During his arrest on June 25 last year, he was found in possession of cannabis and pleaded guilty to possession of a class B drug. For this he was given a six-month conditional discharge and fines amounting to £102.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Mark Personius, based at Banbury police station, said: “Following a thorough investigation, Azevedo, Washington, Weir and Sallaj have been sentenced today.
“We hope this sentence demonstrates that we are relentless in our pursuit of offenders and as a result the public will be reassured that we take all reports of incidents of this nature extremely seriously.
“Tackling rape is a priority for the force and this sentence today demonstrates our commitment to bringing offenders to justice and ensuring that woman and girls feel safer in the community.
“I am pleased that justice has been achieved for the woman that survived such a horrendous and harrowing ordeal.
“She has shown incredible courage and bravery throughout the investigation and in particular during the trial.
“I know that this outcome will not undo the damage that their actions have caused her but I hope it offers some comfort that they have been brought to justice and can now concentrate on her recovery and future.”
The victim added: “I am glad they have all been sent to prison.
“However they will serve a fraction of time in comparison to what this ordeal has done to me.
“The effects of what they did to me will last forever.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam