Daniel Smith 45

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A man has been found guilty of numerous sexual offences against a woman, including raping her while she was sleeping.

Following a trial by jury at Swindon Crown Court, Daniel Smith, 45, of Ladywell Close, North Leigh, Oxfordshire, was convicted of rape, sexual assault and breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He has been remanded into custody and is due to be sentenced in January.

On November 4, 2023, Smith raped the victim – a woman in her 30s who was known to him – inside a property in Highworth while she was sleeping.

On December 9, 2023, Smith again targeted the victim, climbing into the same bed with her against her consent and groping her.

The offences were reported to the police on December 18, 2023, and Smith was arrested the same day.

He was subsequently charged with the offences, as well as for breaching the conditions of his SHPO.

Smith pleaded not guilty to the offences, forcing the victim to relive the experiences in a trial in front of a jury, but was found guilty today.

Investigating officer DC Hemns said:

“Firstly, I’d like to commend the victim for the bravery she has shown throughout this investigation.

“It has been a lengthy process to get to this point but she has always remained supportive of the prosecution and has stayed strong, even when Smith required her to relive the trauma of the sexual offences in court under cross examination.

“I hope that after two years, today’s verdict can give her the chance to start to heal and move forward, without this still overshadowing her everyday life.”