Couple jailed after rape of 18-year-old personal training client

A personal trainer who raped a young client after grooming her with his partner has been jailed.

James Owen, 55, and Ellen Rae, 52, plied the 18-year-old with drinks at their home in Salisbury on 6 February 2021 before Owen raped and Rae sexually assaulted her.

This followed weeks of planning by the couple whose text messages revealed vile discussions about sexual assaults committed against the victim prior to the rape, and their plans for further abuse.

At Winchester Crown Court, it was heard how Owen first sexually assaulted the woman by groping her during physical training sessions at his home between January and February 2021.

He claimed his touching of her was necessary as part of specific exercises.

However, text messages between Owen and Rae revealed far more sinister intentions.

Owen revelled in his groping of the victim and made comments such as “I’ll be very respectable tomorrow to lull her into a false sense of security” prior to a session.

Rae also made comments about the victim’s body and encouraged her partner’s sexual intentions.

Building the case to present to the jury, prosecutors with CPS Wessex worked with Wiltshire Police to piece together this digital evidence which showed the pair’s premeditation, resulting in a further charge of conspiracy to commit sexual assault against both defendants.

Following the grooming, the pair invited the 18-year-old to their home for a dinner which Rae gave a ‘valentines’ theme.

Shortly after her arrival, Owen presented the victim with a heart shaped nipple piercing which the pair insisted she try on.

Feeling more uncomfortable as the night went on, the victim tearfully called her friend from a bathroom and expressed her concern about the pair’s conduct.

Before she could be picked up, the defendants told the teen to get into their hot tub, where she was raped by Owen and sexually assaulted by Rae.

Following a nine-day trial at Winchester Crown Court, Owen was convicted of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and conspiracy to commit sexual assault.

Rae, meanwhile, was found guilty of sexual assault and conspiracy to commit sexual assault.

Today, at Salisbury Crown Court, Owen was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment and Rae was given two years' imprisonment.

Lisa Garcia, a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “The actions of Owen and Rae were utterly abhorrent.

“While masquerading as a friendly couple with noble intentions, they worked together to systematically plan and execute the rape of a young woman who trusted them.

“This abuse of trust has caused indescribable damage and we worked rigorously with detectives to ensure they were not just convicted for the physical abuse, but for their sick planning and coercion.

“We hope their convictions send a clear message that the CPS is committed to prosecuting rape cases and that we will always strive to deliver justice for victims.”