Exeter man jailed for 17 years after sexual assaults against teenage girls
Police said 19-year-old Sonny Boyes' behaviour was persistent and aggressive, and praised the victims' bravery in coming forward
A man from Exeter has been jailed after committing multiple sexual assaults against two teenage girls.
Sonny Boyes, 19, was sentenced to 17 years in prison at Exeter Crown Court, after being found guilty of nine sexual offences, including two counts of rape, following his trial in October 2025.
The court heard that on the evening of 9th May 2025, Boyes assaulted a 16-year-old girl near Digby & Sowton train station after both had disembarked from a train.
He asked her to hold his beer as he urinated in the bushes before raping and sexually assaulting her.
The victim managed to escape and call for help.
Later, he engaged a 17-year-old girl at the station, quickly turning the interaction sexual despite her repeated refusals.
The assault persisted on the train. The victim described that she ‘loudly told him to stop’, in hopes that others would hear.
Boyes left the train at the next stop, and members of the public and train staff reported the incident to police.
He was arrested at 10.20pm in Exeter City Centre that evening.
He was later charged, appearing in court on 12th May.
Boyes pleaded not guilty to all charges, but the jury found him guilty of two counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and four counts of assault by penetration.
He was acquitted on one count of rape.
Beyond his sentence, Boyes will serve an extended licence of seven years, remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life, and be subject to an indeterminate Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
During sentencing, the judge said that Boyes had ‘charmed and alarmed’ the victims, and described that throughout the criminal justice process Boyes had demonstrated misogynistic views and even while in custody had continued to show derogatory behaviour towards females he had encountered.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jordan Pearce said: “We welcome the sentence handed down by the court today, which highlights the seriousness of the offences committed by Sonny Boyes.
“My utmost thanks and praise are foremost with the two victims. This outcome would not have been possible without the continuous courage shown by the victims. They have both been through a horrific ordeal that no person should ever be subjected to and have continued to show incredible bravery throughout.
“The crimes committed by Boyes on the 9 May 2025 have had a lasting impact on the victims, and the local community.
“He preyed on two young women, where he displayed aggressive and sexually harassing behaviour towards them. He was forceful and persistent in his attack committing two separate attacks in a very short period of time.
“He has shown no remorse for his actions throughout the investigation and during interview he was derogatory and sexist, where he admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the victims.”
DC Pearce added: “I would also like to the thank all witnesses that came forward to give evidence - this was key in achieving a positive result in court today. I am grateful to the members of public who acted fast to report these incidents to us so we could prevent further harm. As a result of these reports, Boyes was detained incredibly quickly and taken into custody where he was interviewed and later charged.”