Police praise victim's bravery after 'unprecedented' rape case

24-year-old jailed for 12.5 years after kidnapping woman at gunpoint

Police have described the kidnap and rape of a woman at gunpoint on the Isle of Man as ‘unprecedented’.

Yesterday (10 October) 24-year-old Tobias Wood, formerly of Ballamaddrell, was jailed for 12-and-a-half-years for attacking his victim in 2020.

Wood had lay in wait in the woman's car, which was parked in Port Erin, until she’d finished work just after 9pm on 7 November.

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The Isle of Man Constabulary has praised the woman’s bravery saying she’s ‘maintained her resolve’ throughout the court case which concluded at Douglas Courthouse.

Up until August this year Wood had protested his innocence – only changing his plea on the morning of trial.

In a statement, issued to Manx Radio, police say the sentencing is ‘significant’ and the case would generate ‘a lot of concern’ across the Island.

Detective Inspector Michelle McKillop added: “This case is unprecedented for the Island.

“Rape is a very serious offence and for it to be done at gunpoint demonstrates extreme violence.

“This incident was an isolated event and, like most rape cases, the victim knew her attacker.

“The judicial process has had some setbacks before coming to trial but the victim has maintained her resolve and has been very brave throughout the whole process.”

DI McKillop also praised the ‘dedication’ of the officers involved for their ‘tenacity and professionalism’.

Wood’s victim – who can’t be identified for legal reasons – told the court going through the criminal investigation made her feel ‘less and less human’.  

A victim impact statement read to the court, written by the victim’s mother, said: “I am immensely proud of my daughter for standing up and fighting for justice.”