Solihull Keele University student Steven Christian jailed for raping undergraduate

A student who raped a woman and told her: “This is what university is like” has been locked up for five years.

Steven Christian, from Solihull, attacked the victim in her room at Keele University after a pub quiz in September last year.

The 20-year-old had been a student ambassador during the evening, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard.

The victim was left so traumatised that she now made herself vomit, jurors were told.

Christian was sent to a young offenders’ institution after he was convicted of rape after a trial.

Jonathan Dickinson, prosecuting, said: “The victim was going to start at Keele University in September last year.

“She attended the university for an event.

“The defendant was about to go into the second year and was a student ambassador during the evening.”

At the end of the night Christian walked the victim to her room.

Christian, of Raddington Drive, Solihull , denied sexual assault, rape, assault by penetration and attempted rape.

“I wake up most days feeling panicked and scared.

“I don’t feel safe and I don’t want to have sex or a relationship.

“When things get bad I make myself throw up. My family are worried about me as I don’t cope with emotions very well.”

Darron Whitehead, defending, said Christian would be vulnerable in custody, StokeonTrentLive reported .

He said: “He’s now brought shame upon his family.

“His mother is Japanese and in their culture this behaviour is very much frowned upon. He has to live with the shame he’s now brought.

“The regular trips back to Japan were stopped as he was under police investigation and any chance of obtaining further visas in the future have gone.”

Passing sentence, Recorder Nicholas Syfret QC told Christian: “In the course of his closing remarks the prosecutor said this case was a tragedy and I agree with him.

“It’s a tragedy for you and your family.

“As a consequence of your actions you must be sentenced to a significant custodial sentence.

“It is a tragedy for the victim – she was starting her life at university – one of the most significant steps a young person can take and this event blighted that part of her life.

“You and the victim helped a student who was drunk to his room.

“In the corridor you kissed her and she initially responded, then broke off and said you shouldn’t be doing it anymore.

“She opened the door to her room and you followed her – she didn’t invite you.

“You tried to kiss her again and she tried to stop you.

“You said something like: ‘You want to know what university is like – well this is what it’s like’.

“She was then pushed to the ground, she wasn’t sure if it was accidental or not. You loosened your belt.

“She started to cry.

“You tried to win her over by saying how special and pretty she was.

“You knew what you had done and later tried to excuse your behaviour in two text messages to her.”

The defendant will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Det Con Mick Hall, of Staffordshire Police , said: “I want to commend the victim for having the courage to come forward and speak out.

“I hope that knowing Christian has now been sentenced will give others who have suffered the strength to come forward.”

Anyone who has suffered sexual abuse, or suspects others may be subject to sexual abuse, should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111 or at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Read more: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/solihull-keele-university-student-steven-15323148