Rapist Rooney Gardi from Lyneham has been convicted of raping a youngster in Old Town, Swindon. Rooney Gardi, 23, of Calne Road, Lyneham, was convicted by trial at Swindon Crown Court on Monday, March 3.
On June 30, 2024, Rooney Gardi’s adolescent victim was discovered unresponsive in the parking lot on Dammas Lane during the early morning hours. She was discovered by bystanders, lacking recollection of the preceding hours, devoid of her undergarments, and exhibiting injuries to her face and body.
Detective Constable Anna McCormack from CID stated, “Rooney Gardi is a sexual predator who acknowledged sexual contact but refuted the more severe allegation.” He exploited a defenceless little girl.
I wish to express my gratitude to the victim in this case, who is merely 18 years old and currently lacks recollection of the incident. She has demonstrated resilience and bravery during the investigation and has entrusted the police to reconstruct the events of that night.
I would like to express my gratitude to the members of the public and the community wardens who first responded to the victim and, upon assessing the situation, recognised that she had been subjected to a sexual assault. Had it not been for their perseverance and prompt decision to notify the police and secure the site, significant evidence in this case may have been compromised.
Community members have to be let to enjoy a night out with friends for drinks without the apprehension of becoming victims of violence. If you suspect you have experienced sexual violence, even if you cannot recall all the specifics, rest assured that we will conduct a thorough investigation.
Rooney Gardi has been detained and is scheduled for sentencing on April 14.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.