Rugeley rapist jailed after assaulting man in Midland hotel room

A Rugeley man has been jailed after raping and sexually assaulting another man at a hotel.

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This is the face of a man who lured another man into a hotel room in Burton on Trent before raping and sexually assaulting him.

Aaron Tugwell, aged 26, of Rugeley, was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court yesterday after he was previously found guilty of two counts of the man and one count of causing a man to engage in sexual activity. 

Aaron Tugwell, 26, of Rugeley, has been jailed for seven for the rape and sexual assault of another man
Aaron Tugwell, 26, of Rugeley, has been jailed for seven for the rape and sexual assault of another man

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The attack happened in October 2022 and saw Tugwell get the victim into a hotel room in Burton-on-Trent before sexually assaulting him. 

When the survivor attempted to leave, Tugwell tried to convince him to stay; however, he instead got a taxi home and called the police to report what had happened. 

Tugwell was arrested the day after the incident, before denying the offences in an interview. 

During the investigation, officers from the Staffordshire Police's Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit (RASSO) worked tirelessly to support the survivor and build the evidence needed to convict Tugwell. 

Despite denying the offences, Tugwell was found guilty during a trial that was held in July of this year. 

Tugwell was jailed for seven years at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday, October 16.

He was also placed on the Sexual Offenders Register for life. 

Detective Constable Lily Rowley, of the Staffordshire Police RASSO team, said: "I’m pleased that we’ve been able to deliver this outcome for the survivor in this case, who has shown tremendous bravery in coming forward and supporting our investigation.

“We’re absolutely determined to take robust action against those responsible for these heinous crimes in Staffordshire and to support survivors as much as possible throughout the criminal justice process."

The force has urged anyone who has experienced this type of crime to report their experiences of harm to the police directly or indirectly, safe in the knowledge that they will be taken seriously and that they will be treated with dignity and respect.