Burglar jailed for Ilfracombe rape

Police described 25-year-old Ross Wyborn as a 'dangerous sexual predator'

A burglar has been jailed for raping a woman in North Devon last year and assaulting her young daughter.

25-year-old Ross Wyborn from the town carried out the attack in May, before he was disturbed by the victim’s child and fled the scene.

He has been sentenced to 10 years in prison with five years on licence.

CID officers launched an investigation which led to the arrest of Wyborn on the 16th July and he was charged with two counts of rape of a woman over the age of 16 and assault by digital penetration; he was also charged with assaulting a child.

The court heard how the victim had been in the bath when she had heard a noise in her house and noticed a man, unknown to her, on her landing.

The man, identified as Wyborn, went on to rape the victim before he was disturbed by her child and fled the scene.

The victim notified police straight away and the investigation was launched.

DC Donna Money from Barnstaple CID said: “We welcome the verdict today following what was a horrific and abhorrent attack in the victim’s home.

“I would like to praise the victim’s courage in coming forward and giving evidence.

“Mr Wyborn is a dangerous sexual predator and this sentence today, means that the community will be a safer place as a result.

“I would like to reassure the public that this type of incident is extremely rare and I hope that this verdict goes to show that as a police force, we will take allegations of a sexual nature extremely seriously and ensure that justice is done.”