A 36-year-old man has been jailed for 17 years for two counts of rape against one woman and sexually assaulting another woman, both while they were asleep.
Craig Winston, a former Gloucestershire Police student officer, was found guilty in December last year of several offences following a trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
After an investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Criminal Investigation Department, on 17 December a jury found Winston guilty of four offences against one woman.
This was two counts of rape, one count of causing a female to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity and one count of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour. He was also found guilty of one count of sexual assault by penetration relating to another woman.
The offences were committed off-duty, and he was found not guilty of four other counts.
His Honour Judge Anthony Lowe sentenced Winston on Friday (6 February) to 17 years in prison for the offences, and told Winston he must serve at least two-thirds before being released on licence. Judge Lowe also gave Winston 20-year restraining orders to protect both women.
During the hearing, it was said evidence presented at trial showed Winston had researched online about sexually assaulting people who were drugged or unconscious, along with the effect of various drugs on them.
The court was told his internet history indicated an interest in degrading and punishing through sexual abuse.
One of the survivors was in court and read a statement in which she described Winston as a “selfish, twisted, depraved bully”.
She said Winston had threatened her by saying she would lose everything if she reported him to the police, and he said his career as a police officer would be jeopardised if she did report it and that it would be all her fault.
She added: “Yet it was your and only your actions that brought you here, and those colleagues of yours that have helped and supported me to be able to stand here today, when so many woman are unable to do so with their abuser.”
A statement was read to the court on behalf of the other victim. She said: “There is no statement that can truly describe the ways that Craig Winston ruined my life, but after today I can finally begin to walk the difficult road of moving on. I am indescribably relieved now that this process if over, and I can begin to move on with my life.”
In mitigation, Winston’s defence barrister said he was a relatively young man who was of previous good character, and that he had an awful childhood which may explain some of the ways in which Winston navigated his life. He said the impact of a custodial sentence on Winston would be profound.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ed Garlick said: “I do not underestimate how difficult it is for victims and survivors of sexual abuse to come forward and report crimes to the police, even more so when that offender is a serving police officer.
“Winston subjected both women to unimaginable harm, and although no sentence changes his horrific actions, I hope they find some comfort in knowing that by bravely coming forward, they have stopped his ability to harm anyone else.
“I commend both women for their courage in working with us, following this case through to court and giving evidence in front of a jury. It is due to them that Winston will now be behind bars for a number of years.”
The court was told the crimes were reported to police after Winston had joined the service.
Judge Lowe said: “Mr Winston was a probationary police officer and even the most scrupulous vetting system would not have exposed the matters.”
Winston had been a student officer based in the Forest of Dean. He was arrested and suspended from duty as soon as the allegations came to light in October 2022 and resigned from the Constabulary in February 2023.
At the time the allegations were made he was still in his probationary period having joined the Constabulary in January 2022.
The Force referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the IOPC returned it to the Force to investigate.
The case was then investigated by Gloucestershire Police’s Criminal Investigation Department with charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service.
At the time of Winston’s conviction, Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint said: “I am deeply shocked at the heinous crimes committed by Craig Winston, including some whilst he was a serving student police officer.
“The courage the survivors have demonstrated over the past four years is commendable and I’d like to thank them for their assistance in helping us hold him accountable.
“There is absolutely no place in policing for someone like him and we will now begin misconduct proceedings against him to ensure his name is placed on the police barred list.
“I hope this case reassures the public we will not hesitate to investigate allegations of criminal wrongdoing by our officers and staff and bring them to justice.”
Gemma Kneebone, a Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: “A thorough police investigation revealed that Craig Winston had a sexual interest in degrading abuse against women, and that he researched the use of various drugs to render people unconscious.
“This evidence, together with the accounts of two women who spoke of their personal experiences with Winston, enabled the Crown Prosecution Service to build a compelling case which resulted in his conviction and a very significant prison term.
“This prosecution would not have been possible without the evidence provided by these two women, and I would like to thank them for their bravery in coming forward and supporting this prosecution.”
To report a rape or other sexual offences call 999 in an emergency, or report by calling 101 or online here: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/
Speaking with police and going through the criminal justice system is not something every victim/survivor wants to do. Support is available from partner agencies for all victims/survivors, regardless of whether they choose to go through the criminal justice system or not – do not suffer in silence.
In Gloucestershire, First Light provides Independent Sexual Violence Advisors for victims/survivors of sexual violence, whether the abuse was recent or not: https://www.firstlight.org.uk/
The Survivor Pathway is an online resource for anyone wanting to know more about sexual violence support services in the South West: https://survivorpathway.org.uk/
