A 26-year-old man has been jailed for 12 years after being convicted of a number of sexual offences including rape.

Owen Dunstan, 26, from Chellew Road in Truro, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence on Thursday 28 November having been convicted by a jury of rape and two sexual assaults at a trial that started on Monday 28 October. He was found not guilty of a sexual assault against a third complainant.

During the trial the court heard how Dunstan attacked two victims in 2020 and 2021.

The first victim described how she attended a party in Truro at which Dunstan was also present. During the course of the evening the victim found herself alone in a toilet with Dunstan.

He started kissing her and despite her efforts to get him to stop, Dunstan proceeded to sexually assault her. The attack only stopped when there was a knock at the door.

In the days that followed, Dunstan and the victim spoke over Facebook Messenger, a conversation in which Dunstan asked her not to tell anybody what happened.

The second set of offences took place in June 2021, again on a night out in Truro.

The second victim in the case was in a bar when Dunstan sat at her table. Dunstan put his arm around her and attempted to kiss her. He then placed his hand on her inner thigh resulting in her discretely reporting it to the barman.

The barman then cited Covid regulations as an excuse to get Dunstan to move tables, Dunstan leaving the venue after becoming involved in a scuffle.

The victim left the bar and decided to attend a party that Dunstan was also attending. During the walk to the party a witness reported the victim pushing Dunstan away from her as he touched her inappropriately.

She described to officers how on the walk, a friend of Dunstan’s walked ahead, and Dunstan then sexually touched the complainant despite her protests, before raping her against a car.

The same witness who saw Dunstan touch the victim then saw her coming back the way she came visibly upset. She then disclosed to him that she had been raped by Dunstan.

The morning after the rape officers conducted a search of the scene and found her missing earring on the bonnet of a van.

Officers in the case Police Staff Investigator Martin Skinner said: “We are pleased that justice has been done and that Owen Dunstan has been sent to prison for his offending.

“Dunstan showed no consideration whatsoever for his victims in his pursuit of sexual gratification.

“He targeted both of these young women following interactions in social environments. I would like to thank them for their immense bravery in giving evidence and for remaining engaged with what has been a lengthy investigation and court process.

“We will continue to thoroughly investigate any reports of such offending against women and girls.”

If you have been affected by this article there is support available.

You can visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system.

You can also call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.

Advice and support can also be found at: National Rape Crisis Helpline 0808 802 9999 Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) 0300 3034626 For more information please visit: www.dc.police.uk/Rape-SexualAssault