Elias Arberry of Taunton handed life sentence for rape and assault

Elias Arberry, of Moorland Road, raped a woman on four occasions, sexually assaulted her twice, and wounded her with intent on Monday, May 2.

Arberry, 26, was arrested the following day at a hotel in Weston-super-Mare following a 26-hour police search. He pleaded guilty to all seven charges on Tuesday, June 7.

He appeared at Taunton Crown Court today (Friday, October 14) to be sentenced.

His Honour Judge Cullum described Arberry as a “dangerous offender” and said the ordeal was “best described as torture and rape”.

The court heard that Arberry had been drinking and had taken medication before he became violent.

After he raped the woman four times and caused her serious injuries, Arberry fell asleep, allowing the victim to contact family members and escape.

The court was told Arberry made threats to kill her “repeatedly” while the offences were carried out.

The judge said Arberry deprived the woman of sleep during the event, and that he punched her and pulled her hair out.

Elias Arberry was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court today. Picture: County Gazette (Image: County Gazette)

In a written statement, the victim said she can no longer enjoy activities she used to and suffers from nightmares and flashbacks.

She said: “It was absolutely intolerable, and the only way I could deal with it was to cry.

“I expect to live in constant pain for some time to come, but I have no idea how long this will be.

“At my age, most people are thinking about finding a partner to share their life with. However, I feel that opportunity has been taken away from me.”

Following the preparation of psychiatric and probation reports, the court was told Arberry suffers from a “moderate to severe” personality disorder and alcohol dependency.

He was said to be in a “dark and unstable place” at the time the events took place but “wishes to use his time in custody to develop skills” and become rehabilitated.

Issuing his sentence, Judge Cullum said: “You continued in spite of her screaming and telling you to stop. Her distress was obvious.

“You refused her the medical help she obviously needed. You must have known the degree of suffering.

“Even in a crown court, where cases are often explicit, this case stands out. The agony she was in was very significant.

“The harm you caused was extreme. There is obviously psychological and physical harm.

“This was a long and sustained incident of terror. Every aspect of the victim’s life has been affected.”

He added: “There is mitigation. You are a young man, aged 26. You are in prison for the first time.

“That is giving you an opportunity to take a look at your life and access mental health support in a controlled environment in custody.

“The fact that you have been suffering from mental health problems for more than a decade and have a personality disorder is a mitigating factor.”

The judge also referenced Arberry’s “abusive upbringing” and said: “Concerningly, you said you felt groomed to behave abusively. You have, on occasion, been suicidal.”

Arberry was given a life sentence, and his minimum term will be nine years and 315 days.

The victim has been given a lifelong restraining order against Arberry, who will be subject to a sex offender notification requirement for life.

After the sentencing, detective inspector Nadine Partridge said: “This defendant carried out a horrific series of offences against the victim, which are among some of the worst I’ve had to investigate during my policing career.

“The heinous crimes Arberry committed have caused the victim long-lasting mental and physical injuries.

“She has shown incredible bravery and strength in assisting the police in this investigation, so we’ve been able to put a very dangerous man behind bars, preventing him from causing harm to anyone else.

“This is a welcome result for both the victim and her family and will hopefully give the victim the closure and justice she needs to move forward with her life.”