Che Ashton fronts Victoria County Court after a jury returns guilty verdicts on rape and other sexual assault charges

A vile Melbourne rapist who forced his way into a woman’s bedroom before sexually assaulting her lashed out in court, and at one stage laughed at victim impact statement.

Che Ashton was jailed for eight years and eight months in the County Court.

An vile predator who forced his way into a woman’s house and suggested making a porn video and putting it online before raping her laughed as her victim impact statement was read out in court.

Che Ashton was found guilty in August of three charges of rape, one of assault with intent to commit a sexual offence, and another of sexual assault and was sentenced on Friday in the County Court to eight years’ and eight months’ jail.

Judge George Georgiou said Ashton’s particular actions since his jury trial demonstrated his lack of remorse and insight into his offending.

They included at times laughing when the victim impact statement was being read out in court, and him throwing his headphone towards the jury box and smashing it when the verdicts were being announced.

Ashton forced himself on the woman on August 8, 2023, despite her requesting him to leave her home.

She described him as “erratic, jumpy, talking fast and very loud” prior to his offending.

Judge Georgiou said Ashton told the woman as he walked in that he really had a good idea about making porn video and uploading it online that would make a lot of money.

The victim provided a statement to court in which she described the physical and emotional impact of being violated at home.

Che Ashton was found guilty in August in the County Court of three charges of rape, one of assault with intent to commit a sexual offence, and another of sexual assault.

“She said her body felt broken and her neck stiff. She said you took the opportunity to take advantage of her when she was going through a particularly vulnerable period of her life.

‘To you, it is a laughing matter. To me, it’s been a nightmare I wanted to put behind me,” she said.

A consultant psychologist was of the opinion that Ashton, who did his schooling at Cheltenham, and said his behaviour fitted the criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“You were found to be lacking in self confidence and were excessively paranoid. You have problems in recognising appropriate behaviour and you are impulsive in what you say and do,” Judge Georgiou said.

The Director of Public Prosecutions submitted that Ashton engaged in a persistent conduct and not only did the victim suffered pain but also degradation and humiliation.

He didn’t leave until he had raped and assaulted her, the DPP submitted.

Ashton apologised through his lawyer for the earphone incident, saying his conduct was the culmination of four years of great frustration

In mitigation, he said it was his first time in custody, he has limited prior convictions and has been on bail on the latest charges since April 2020.

Judge Georgiou said rape was an inherently serious offence which carried a maximum penalty of 25 years in jail.

“She, like every other person in the community, had a right to feel and be safe in her own home.

“You violated that right, as well as her physical and emotional integrity, when you committed these abhorrent crimes, in her home.”