Reuben Wilson, a 54-year-old man from Minster Avenue in Beverley, East Yorkshire, was convicted of rape following an incident that occurred after a night of social drinking. The case, heard at Grimsby Crown Court, involved Wilson taking advantage of a woman who had fallen asleep on the floor of a house where a group had gathered for drinks.
The woman had been out with her boyfriend earlier in the evening and later met relatives before heading to a pub. There, she encountered three others, including Wilson, and the group was invited back to the home of two of the individuals for more drinks. After consuming alcohol, the woman slumped asleep on the floor. When she awoke, she found a duvet covering her and discovered Wilson beneath it. Her tights were ripped, and her knickers had been cut open, indicating a sexual assault had taken place while she was unconscious.
Alerting her boyfriend, the woman contacted the police, who arrived at the house and found Wilson still asleep and intoxicated under the duvet in the kitchen. Forensic examination provided crucial evidence: traces of the woman's internal bodily fluids were found on the inside front of Wilson's boxer shorts, though the exact source could not be pinpointed. Additionally, fibres on the blade of a pair of scissors matched those from the woman's cut underwear, described as 'indistinguishable' by experts. Wilson's DNA was identified on the scissors' handle, linking him directly to the crime.
Wilson, who resides in Beverley but was on remand in custody at the time of the trial, denied the charges of rape and an alternative count of sexual assault. During his initial police interview, he made no comment, but in a subsequent interview, he claimed to have no recollection of the events due to blackouts caused by health issues. At trial, Wilson chose not to give evidence in his defence. His barrister, Julia Baggs, argued that he believed someone else had committed the act and reiterated his memory loss. The woman also reported not remembering the incident.
After approximately five hours of deliberation, the jury returned a majority verdict of 10 to two, convicting Wilson on the primary charge of rape. Judge Gurdial Singh remanded him in custody, ordering a report to assess his potential dangerousness. Addressing Wilson, the judge stated: 'You are looking at a substantial prison term.' To the victim present in court, Judge Singh offered reassurance: 'He attacked you. Don't think for a moment you should have done anything different. Do not reproach yourself. It is him. He is looking at a sentence in years.'
The trial had faced delays; originally scheduled for Hull Crown Court the previous year, it was adjourned and relocated to Grimsby. Wilson failed to appear for the rearranged trial on 24 November 2025, leading to a warrant for his arrest. He was apprehended later that day and brought before the court the following day, where his bail was revoked. Sentencing is scheduled for next year. The case was prosecuted by Simon Reevell, with reporting from Peter Craig and Mark Naylor for Hull Live.