Paul Hallisey, a 34-year-old man from Heol y Berllan, Caerau, Cardiff, was convicted of rape following a trial at Newport Crown Court. The incident occurred some years prior to the sentencing, though the exact date was not specified in court reports. During the attack, Hallisey ignored the victim's clear verbal and physical refusals, proceeding to sexually assault her despite her pleas of 'No, I’m tired' and attempts to turn away.
The prosecution, led by Niklas Strobl, detailed how Hallisey initiated unwanted sexual contact by touching the woman and, when met with resistance, moved her clothing aside and inserted his finger into her. The rape ensued, with the victim trapped between his arms and legs, lying there crying and waiting for it to end. When confronted during the assault, the victim asked Hallisey, 'Did you know that’s rape?', to which he allegedly responded, 'Is it?', before continuing. Hallisey later claimed in a text exchange that he could not remember the incident, responding to the victim's account with, 'Why didn’t you punch me or something?... I seriously can’t remember this… I’m sorry, I can’t remember.' The victim replied that she was 'petrified' and did not fight back.
Hallisey denied the rape charge but was found guilty by the jury in January 2026. At the sentencing hearing on 11 February 2026, the victim delivered a powerful impact statement directly to Hallisey, describing the profound effects of his actions. She stated, 'Standing here today, I still feel pain. I will forever be affected by what he has done,' and accused him of smirking back at her from the dock. She continued, 'You took my body, you took my freedom for your pleasure. I hope you never treat another woman the way you treated me.' The victim revealed ongoing flashbacks, nightmares triggered by words, sounds, or smells, and a severe decline in her mental health, including suicidal attempts and being sectioned under the Mental Health Act. She described the trauma as a 'life sentence' that left her unable to face life, trust others, or even look at herself.
In addition to the rape, Hallisey faced charges for drug-related offences committed while on bail. These included being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, cannabis cultivation, and possession with intent to supply cannabis. In October 2024, police executed a warrant at his home after concerns about electricity abstraction, discovering 30 cannabis plants valued between £3,600 and £18,000, along with cultivation equipment. Hallisey attempted to flee by jumping from a first-floor window. Further investigations uncovered messages on his phone about supplying cannabis and cocaine, including his self-description as 'I am the ganja farmer.' He had 12 previous convictions for 17 offences.
Defence barrister John Ryan argued that Hallisey turned to drugs to cope with the stress of the rape investigation, attributing delays in the case to an underfunded criminal justice system. Recorder Aidan Eardley KC, sentencing Hallisey, acknowledged the significant ongoing impact on the victim, stating, 'Your actions continue to have a very significant effect on [the victim].' Hallisey was also made subject to a 15-year restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim.