Jury convicts man of 2004 rapes near Norfolk hospital

Shaun Gilder launched his attack after the victim, who was a teenager at the time, stopped his car to allow him to get out to be sick.

Gilder has been on trial at Norwich Crown Court, having denied two counts of rape and one of assault by penetration.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

The eight women and four men on the jury took just under five hours to find him unanimously guilty of all three charges.

Gilder, formerly of Norwich, but now of Chestnut Avenue, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft, appeared to show no emotion as he was convicted although his partner, who sat in the public gallery, broke down in tears.

Shaun Gilder (Image: Facebook)Judge Andrew Shaw adjourned sentence until January 12 so an assessment about his future risk could be made.

Judge Andrew Shaw (Image: Newsquest)He said Gilder, who had been on bail during the trial, would be remanded in custody, until his sentencing due to concerns about his mental health and whether or not he would attend the next hearing.

As he was led away Gilder's partner said "love you Shaun" to which the defendant replied: "love you".

The trial, which started on October 31, heard Gilder and the victim had been at a barbeque in Blundeston, Suffolk, and were heading back to their homes.

The victim stopped the car on an estate near to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, so Gilder could be sick.

James Paget University Hospital (Image: Newsquest)

After being helped back to the car, Gilder became "aggressive". He pushed the teenager against the side of the vehicle and raped him.

Gilder then sexually assaulted the victim before he dragged him into the car and raped him a second time ignoring "repeated pleas" to stop.

The victim spoke to police for a second time in 2018 after an initial complaint was not proceeded with in 2004 as, at the time, he had not revealed his sexuality to everyone.