Robel Gebremariam, aged 25, of Dudley Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, was sentenced to nine years in prison with a one-year extended licence at Luton Crown Court on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, after being found guilty of rape following a four-day trial.
The court heard that in the early hours of 6 July 2024, Gebremariam approached a lone female victim as she was walking through the Greyfriars area of Bedford. Gebremariam walked alongside her, accompanied her to a shop where he bought a bottle of alcohol, and subsequently arranged a taxi to take her to the residential address where he was residing. Upon arrival at the property, Gebremariam provided further alcohol before carrying out the sexual assault.
The victim made a report to Bedfordshire Police shortly after the attack took place. Detectives from the force’s specialized Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team launched a comprehensive investigation, deploying intelligence analysis and reviewing local CCTV footage to establish the movements of both parties and confirm Gebremariam’s identity.
Gebremariam was subsequently arrested and formally charged with rape. He maintained his innocence throughout police interviews and court appearances, requiring the matter to proceed to trial. Following a four-day crown court trial, a jury returned a guilty verdict against him.
On 14 July 2026, the presiding judge sentenced Gebremariam to a custodial term of nine years’ imprisonment, ordering an additional one-year extended licence period upon his release.
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