Jury acquits man of 'sleep rape'

Wednesday 24 October 2018

A 60-year-old man accused of raping a 55-year-old woman while she was asleep has been acquitted by a jury in Royal Court after a two day trial.

The jury was not unanimous in their verdict, but a majority found Kenneth Charles Pinglaux not guilty.

Mr Pinglaux had maintained his innocence throughout the trial. His advocate, James Bell, had told the jury that the woman was "frisky" after being out with friends the evening before the alleged rape took place.

The woman said she hadn't had "any sexual interest whatsoever" for several years as she found it painful and uncomfortable, due to a medical condition. She said she had gone to bed fully dressed and had woken up with her pants and leggings off and feeling discomfort between her legs. Crown Advocate Emma Hollywood said the woman had been adamant she did not consent to sex and that she had been asleep.

The jury of seven men and five women spent just over four hours considering their verdict.