An ex-soldier’s rape sentencing was delayed by his ‘suicide attempt’ on Salisbury Plain.
A major search was launched after Gary Conibear disappeared ahead of a hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Friday 5 September.
The 33-year-old former soldier, who was discharged from the army, is understood to have attempted to take his own life rather than appear in the dock.
The National Police Air Service helicopter was deployed after a suicide note was found, sparking a huge search operation just west of Tidworth.
The predator, who was convicted of raping a woman as she slept, was eventually located lifeless near Sidbury Hill – with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance tasked.
Several ambulances, a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and police were in desployed. He was stabilised and flown to hospital in critical condition.
Conibear, of Churchill Close, has since recovered enough to be jailed for his crime, which his victim described as “constant loop of fear, shame, and despair”.
The court heard how he had met up with the woman on a night out with friends, where they played pool and drank together.
He later offered to walk her home and they both fell asleep, fully clothed on her bed. She awoke to find him raping her some time later.
At Winchester Crown Court on 8 October, the defendant was handed a prison term of seven years and six months. A life-long restraining order was also imposed.
Read the survivor’s powerful impact statement and comment from DC Sue Elway here >
