Former police officer accused of raping sleeping woman, jury told

A former police officer, described as "controlling and manipulative," is on trial for allegedly raping one woman and sexually assaulting another while they were asleep. Craig Winston, previously a student officer with Gloucestershire Police in the Forest of Dean, resigned in February 2023 and now faces nine charges at Shrewsbury Crown Court linked to two women.

The incidents are said to have occurred while Winston, 36, was off duty. Prosecutors told the court that he attacked the women when they were either asleep or heavily intoxicated.

Winston, from Bassaleg Road, Newport, Gwent, denies all nine charges, which include two counts of rape and two counts of controlling or coercive behavior.

Prosecutor Ahmed Hossein KC told the jury of eight women and four men that Winstons alleged victims described him as "obsessive" and said he demanded anal sex. Searches on his phone reportedly included phrases such as "sex with sleeping women." Hossein stated, "Craig Winston is a manipulative man who raped one of these women and sexually assaulted the other to satisfy his obsession."

The trial revealed that one complainant awoke to find Winston sexually touching her. Another alleged victim said he called her a "sex slave," forced unwanted sexual acts, used derogatory names, and tried to stop her from contacting the police, leading to a charge of perverting the course of justice.

Winston, currently on bail, is also accused of stalking the first complainant. Prosecutors said he admitted "off the record" to being "obsessed" with her. Hossein explained, "Craig Winston undertook a series of actions intended to affect her mental health and wellbeing, in violation of his bail conditions due to the stalking charge."

The court heard Winston followed the victim on social media, liked her posts, contacted her friends, and created a separate account to post messages and songs aimed at eliciting a reaction from her.

The trial is ongoing.

Author: Zoe Harrison