Former Dorset police officer jailed for rape

A former Dorset police officer who raped and sexually assaulted a friend, subjecting her to violent and demeaning behaviour, has been jailed.

Ravi Canhye, 47, was unanimously found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, three counts of assault by penetration and one sexual assault after a trial that concluded this week.

He was also found guilty of sexually assaulting a second victim.

Canhye was jailed today (5 October) for 16 and a half years at Winchester Crown Court.

The court heard how Canhye and a woman he had befriended had consensual sexual intercourse during a weekend in April of last year, but the following day his mood and behaviour completely changed after drinking heavily.

He raped and sexually assaulted the victim, using highly manipulative and abusive behaviour towards her.

The next day, out of concern for his health and welfare, the victim returned to Canhye’s address with another friend. Whilst she visited the shops, he sexually assaulted her friend.

Gavin Sumpter, CPS Wessex Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: “Canhye actively enjoyed objectifying and degrading the two victims in this case, revelling in their disgust, and carrying on with his unacceptable behaviour regardless.

“As a serving police officer at the time, it is completely understandable that the victim trusted him because of his job. Canhye entirely abused his position of trust and committed these serious sexual offences in a way that ensured his victims were coerced and degraded for his own sexual gratification.

“We would like to pay tribute to the victims in this case for having the courage to support the prosecution case and hope that today’s sentence will bring a small measure of comfort that justice has been delivered.”