Domonic Rowan

A man from Bury St Edmunds has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the rape of a woman that took place seven years earlier in the Tuddenham area.

The offence occurred in February 2017 at the victim's home address, where 58-year-old Domonic Rowan, who was operating under the alias Aaron Royer at the time, raped the woman. The victim reported the assault to police shortly after, but Rowan evaded capture by using multiple aliases. He was not located until 2022 in Blackpool, Lancashire.

Following his arrest, Rowan stood trial at Ipswich Crown Court. After a six-day trial in March 2024, a jury found him guilty of rape. On Friday, 4 October 2024, he was sentenced to 12 years' custody, with an additional six years on licence. Rowan must serve at least two-thirds of his custodial sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Detective Sergeant Harger from the Safeguarding and Investigations team at Bury St Edmunds, part of Suffolk Constabulary, commented on the case: 'This result I hope will demonstrate our determination to secure convictions against offenders regardless of how long ago the offence took place. Rowan was determined to avoid capture by the police but this conviction makes very clear our commitment to prosecuting such offenders.' The officer also praised the victim's courage, noting that the sentence should bring some closure after a long and challenging process.

The case was investigated by Suffolk Constabulary, highlighting their ongoing efforts to support victims of sexual offences and pursue perpetrators relentlessly.