Ryan Dinnage, 32, of Caithness Walk, Croydon, has been sentenced to eight years and six months in prison for raping a woman in her caravan while she slept. The sentence was handed down at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, July 30, following a unanimous jury conviction on June 8 for one count of rape. Dinnage was acquitted of one count of sexual assault and one count of causing a female to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity.
Assault after Royal Windsor Horse Show
The offence occurred in the early hours of May 16, 2022, when Dinnage entered the victim's caravan and raped her while she was asleep. The attack took place following the Royal Windsor Horse Show, an event that had drawn crowds to the area. The victim reported the crime to police later that same day, leading to Dinnage's arrest on May 17, 2022.
During police questioning, Dinnage initially denied any sexual contact with the victim. However, forensic evidence linked him to the crime, prompting him to change his account and claim that any sexual activity had been consensual. This revised version of events was later contradicted by digital evidence recovered from his mobile phone.
Phone data contradicts alibi
Investigators extracted data from Dinnage's mobile device that placed him in the vicinity of the victim's caravan at the time of the offence. This evidence directly undermined his claim of consensual activity and helped secure his conviction. Dinnage was formally charged by postal requisition on March 6, 2025, according to Lancs Live.
Detective Constable Arshid Ali, the investigating officer, expressed satisfaction with the outcome: "I am pleased with the sentence handed down, which reflects the seriousness of this offence. Thames Valley Police takes all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, and we remain committed to investigating these offences thoroughly and bringing those responsible to justice."
Victim's courage acknowledged
DC Ali also praised the victim's resilience throughout the lengthy legal process, which spanned more than four years. "This has been a long and difficult process for the victim, spanning more than four years. I hope that the sentence handed down provides her with a sense of closure and allows her to begin moving forward with her life," he said. "I would like to thank her for the courage and strength she has shown throughout the investigation and court proceedings."
The case highlights the critical role of digital forensics in sexual offence investigations. Thames Valley Police encourages anyone who has experienced sexual violence to come forward, assuring victims that reports are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Support services are available to assist survivors throughout the legal process.
