Police officer who became 'animal' after heavy drinking raped friend
A police officer has been found guilty of rape after a jury heard he became an “animal” after drinking heavily and attacked two of his female friends.
Pc Ravi Canhye, who serves with Dorset Police, was convicted of two charges of rape, one count of attempted rape, three charges of assault of penetration and sexual assault. A trial at Winchester Crown Court heard that the 47-year-old from Poole slapped and bit the first victim before pinning her down and raping her.
He then threatened to abuse her with his truncheon and a vodka bottle, the court was told. Judge Jane Miller KC said that she was considering a prison sentence and adjourned the case for Canhye to be sentenced tomorrow. She told the defendant: “You have been unanimously convicted by the jury of all counts on the indictment, I am going to sentence you tomorrow, you will be remanded in custody until that time.”
Sarah Jones KC, prosecuting, told the jury that the complainant was a friend of the defendant’s who had previously considered a romantic relationship with him but he had ruled this out. She said that during the weekend in April, Pc Canhye, who has a drinking problem, had “become a completely” different person and attacked his friend despite the pair having had consensual sex the night before.
Ms Jones said that the defendant “span out of control” after drinking heavily which “changed or disinhibited” him. The prosecutor said the victim became frightened of the defendant and added: “Every time he was being too rough, when he was hurting her, that was exciting him and that made him worse at what he did.”
Man in 30s dies after being stabbed in park sparking police probeShe added: “She considered he was behaving like an animal and that she considered him to be behaving like an animal seemed to drive him on more.”
Ms Jones said: “This case concerns a period of time when this defendant span out of control. He has an issue with drinking and over this particular weekend he drank to excess. The alcohol changed him or simply disinhibited him to reveal the true side of him. He abused his friendship with one woman who had been nothing but kind and helpful to him.
“He was so wrapped up in his own needs and desires he saw both her and her friend as objects to use and abuse as he wanted. It brought him a sense of power or gratification and either he had no interest in what effect it had on these women, particularly his friend, or he positively revelled in seeing her disgust, her discomfort. He thought he could treat them both as he wanted.”
The defendant denied all the charges. He will be sentenced tomorrow.
If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website, www.victimsupport.org.uk.