Braintree: Man guilty of rape after work by specialist detectives

Specialist detectives have secured justice for a woman who was raped and sexually assaulted by the same man on two separate occasions.
Paul Gellen sexually assaulted the victim in December 2019 and then raped her in March 2020.

Both incidents followed nights out and, in the second instance, Gellen had been entrusted to give the victim a lift home.

On both occasions the victim awoke with no recollection of what had taken place and was only informed when Gellen himself told her.

He was arrested following the second incident and later charged with rape, sexual assault, and assault by penetration.

He denied the charges but, following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, the 43 year-old of Goldingham Drive, Braintree, was found guilty on Thursday 5 May.

He’s due to be sentenced at the same court on 8 June.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Liv Howells, from our Adult Sexual Assault Investigation Team, said:

“Paul Gellen is a sexual predator who saw the victim’s vulnerabilities as an opportunity.

“On both occasions she was not in a position to give consent and Gellen took advantage of this for his own sexual gratification.

“The absence of someone saying ‘no’ is not the same as them saying yes.

“I cannot stress enough the importance consent in any situation where sex or sexual activity may take place.

“If either party says ‘no’ or is not in a position to say ‘yes’, then stop.

“I want to praise the victim for her strength and courage in coming forward to report what happened and through the investigation and trial.

“She has been through an unimaginable ordeal and I hope this result will help her to move forward.”

There’s more information about rape, sexual assault, and consent on our website: https://www.essex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/

You can also find out how we investigate offences and support victims on our website: https://www.essex.police.uk/police-forces/essex-police/areas/essex-police/au/about-us/sexual-abuse-investigation-team/