Detectives praise victim's role in helping lock up 'despicable' rapist

Detectives have praised the crucial role a sexual abuse survivor played in sending her rapist to prison.

Gareth Odell now faces a lengthy stretch behind bars – thanks to the strength shown by the woman he targeted.

The woman showcased immense courage in coming forward to the police and sharing what Odell had done to her.

In total she was raped by Odell on at least 20 separate occasions during 2020 and 2021, at two different Nottingham addresses.

The rapist’s repeated level of offending came to light soon after that when his victim made the brave decision to report it to the police.

Odell was then arrested and charged with nine separate counts of rape and a further count of sexual assault.

The 37-year-old denied any wrongdoing, with a trial subsequently taking place at Nottingham Crown Court in March of this year.

Despite Odell’s protestations, the jury were able to see through his lies and found him guilty on each of the ten counts.

Odell, of Charlbury Road, Wollaton, returned to the same court to be sentenced for his crimes on 2 July.

Describing him as "a danger to women", Judge Julie Warburton handed Odell an extended custodial sentence of 24 years.

He was sentenced to 16 years behind bars and will then spend an additional eight years on licence when he’s released.

Odell was also made the subject of an indefinite restraining order.

Detective Constable Lucy Clarke, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

"Thanks to the immense bravery showcased by the woman he abused, Gareth Odell will now spend a substantial period of his life behind bars.

"It's impossible to sum up the pain, trauma and anguish his actions would've caused to this woman, and yet she found the strength to come forward and report it to the police, which is to her absolute credit.

“Odell's actions were despicable, as he repeatedly forced his victim to have sex with him throughout 2020 and 2021, despite her making it clear to him that she didn’t want to.

“That removal of consent meant what he did – on at least 20 separate occasions – amounted to rape, which is an incredibly serious offence that can destroy a person’s life.

“Even after inflicting all the pain he did, Odell compounded the damage he’d caused further by denying doing anything wrong and making his victim have to relive it all again.

"Thankfully, the jury were able to see through his lies in the trial that followed and convicted him on all ten counts.

"We hope the sentence passed today provides the victim with some small degree of comfort, while also sending a message to other survivors of sexual abuse that we will listen and take action should you report it to us."