Sarah Marie Vigus

A man and a woman from North Cornelly have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms following their conviction for the rape of a 17-year-old girl. The incident, which occurred on 4 September 2022, has profoundly impacted the victim's life and mental health, as detailed in her victim personal statement.

The victim had been out celebrating with Sarah Vigus and her partner, Sean Ellis-Evans, at a local pub in North Cornelly. The pair bought her several alcoholic drinks before inviting her back to their home on Heol Degwm. The victim recalled falling asleep on the downstairs sofa and waking to find Vigus hovering over her while Ellis-Evans was assaulting her. Police received a report of the sexual assault on Sunday, 4 September 2022.

During the investigation, analysis of mobile phone data revealed that the couple had expressed fantasies about engaging in sexual acts with the 17-year-old victim prior to the incident. This evidence indicated a premeditated sexual interest in the victim long before the assault took place.

The trial concluded at Cardiff Crown Court with a unanimous verdict on 4 April 2025, finding both defendants guilty of rape. Sarah Marie Vigus, 38, from Heol Degwm, North Cornelly, was sentenced on 22 September 2025 to 8 years and 3 months for sexual assault by penetration and rape. Both defendants were remanded into custody following the verdict.

In her victim personal statement, the 17-year-old said: 'My life and mental health changed drastically on 4th September 2022. After 2 and a half years waiting for the trial, the verdict on 4th April 2025 left me feeling the opposite of relieved. Since Sarah Vigus and Sean Ellis-Evans were found guilty of rape, I’ve lived in survival mode, constantly second-guessing myself. I’ve developed an unhealthy relationship with intimacy, affecting my partners. I feel guilty for burdening my parents. I wear a mask, hiding my true feelings. I struggle with sleep, reliving that night, and I feel disgusted with my body. I dropped out of college but returned to focus on my teaching degree, hoping to rebuild my life and make my parents proud.'

DC 5816 Jessica Pritchard, the Officer in Charge, commended the victim's strength: 'The victim has demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience throughout this investigation and during her time in court, where she provided compelling evidence to the jury. It’s important to recognise how challenging it can be for victims of sexual offences to engage with police investigations; the process is often traumatic, court dates can stretch on for months, and discussing such deeply personal experiences is never easy. Evidence clearly indicated that the defendants had shown a sexual interest in the 17-year-old victim long before the assault occurred. The victim's powerful personal statement delivered during sentencing highlighted her courage and determination. I hope this brings her some sense of peace as she begins to rebuild her life following the judge’s decision regarding both defendants.' The case was handled by South Wales Police.