Man jailed for rape at house party at address between Lincoln and Newark

A young man who rang the police and confessed to raping a 17-year-old girl at a house party was today (Thursday) jailed for four years.

Pascal Ponwaye, now 21, was just 18 when he carried out the oral rape after drinking a bottle of rum at the address between Lincoln and Newark.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the victim, who can not be named to protect her anonymity, was sleeping in the garage with other guests when she became aware of Ponwaye kissing her.

The court was told Ponwaye stopped after getting no reaction but returned a few minutes later and pinched the victim's nose.

Ponwaye then placed his penis in the victim's mouth "five or six times".

The victim elbowed Ponwaye who apologised and left the property.

An impact statement from the victim, who attended the hearing, was read out in court.

She described how the rape left her with serious mental health problems and a struggle to re-build her life.

The woman said she initially felt her life had been ruined by the attack but added that she was now determined it would not destroy her.

Ponwaye, of Naam Grove, Lincoln, pleaded guilty to the rape which occurred on 24 October 2021.

James Gray, mitigating, said it was the first party Ponwaye had been allowed to attend on his own and drink alcohol since turning 18 in August 2021.

Mr Gray told the court while it was not an excuse Ponwaye had consumed a bottle of rum.

The court heard Ponwaye attempted to text his victim and apologise but he was rejected.

He was then confronted by his father who learnt of the incident after attending at the property to pick his son up.

Mr Gray said Ponwaye decided to ring 111 after being encouraged by his father and described his admissions as "almost exceptional" in a court system where guilty pleas to offences of rape are rare.

Before passing sentence Judge James House KC said the extraordinary delay in bringing the case to court rested with Lincolnshire Police and asked for an explanation from the Chief Constable.

Addressing Ponwaye, Judge House said the victim was vulnerable as she was at best "half asleep".

"The only fair inference is that he believed she was asleep or unconscious," Judge House told the court.

Judge House acknowledged Ponwaye had shown remorse and praised the actions of his father in encouraging his son to contact the police.

But Judge House said the victim's impact statement made "harrowing reading".

"This event caused a severe deterioration," Judge House explained.

A restraining order was also made which prevents Ponwaye from contacting the victim.