Rapist jailed for attacks on two women in Cornwall
A rapist who subjected two victims to horrific sexual violence has been jailed.
Ryan Bungey, 27, now of Derby Road in Liverpool, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence on Friday 1 May having been convicted by a jury in December of five counts of rape and two offences of sexual assault.
Bungey, who is now known as Eden Winters, was sentenced to 15 years by Judge Simon Carr.
The convictions follow a two-year police investigation.
During the trial, the court heard how Bungey groomed and abused two teenage girls in Falmouth, Liskeard and near Helston during 2014 and 2015.
Bungey manipulated and controlled his victims through threats of self-harm and even followed one victim on a family holiday, sleeping outside their holiday accommodation for several days.
Bungey befriended one victim after she moved alone to Falmouth to study. He isolated her and repeatedly raped and assaulted her over several months in locations including public toilets and a children’s treehouse within Kimberly Park while children played nearby.
He attempted to normalise the abuse by showing her extreme pornography and threatened suicide in front of her family if she tried to leave. After eight months, she managed to escape.
Bungey then targeted another female he met through college, befriending her and then claiming he was homeless and persuading her to let him stay at her family home.
Despite her repeated refusals, Bungey raped her. When she disclosed to her friends what Bungey had done to her, her friends confronted Bungey who falsely told them he had already confessed to police to the rape in an attempt to prevent an actual report being made.
The offence was initially reported at the time and Bungey was interviewed by police. He claimed all acts were consensual, and following a review the case was closed pending further evidence.
In 2022, Bungey attempted to locate and contact the first female on social media some seven years later.
Upon received a message from Bungey, she immediately contacted the police and reported offences she was subjected to in 2014. This led to Bungey being re-interviewed and the original case was examined again in light of the new evidence.
Throughout the trial, Bungey maintained that the relationships were consensual and alleged that the victims exploited his mental health issues, an account rubbished by the jury.
Detective Constable Andrew Colley said: “This case highlights the importance of reporting such offences to the police, no matter how much time has passed.
“Information you hold could show that a single incident is actually part of a much bigger pattern of offending. Offenders of this nature are highly likely to re-offend.
“I encourage anyone who has experienced similar abuse to report it when they feel ready. Your information could bring an offender to justice—not just for you, but for others. Even if a case does not progress at the time of reporting, we continually review cases when new evidence comes to light.
“I want to thank the victims and witnesses for their bravery in coming forward and supporting this case, which I know will have been extremely difficult for them.”
Support available
If you have been affected by this article there is support available.
You can visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system.
You can also call Victim Support on 0808 1689 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.
Advice and support can also be found at:
National Rape Crisis Helpline 0808 802 9999
Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) 0300 3034626
For more information please visit: www.dc.police.uk/Rape-SexualAssault