A misogynistic teenage rapist from Exeter who ‘charmed and alarmed’ two victims within an hour has been jailed for 17 years.
Sonny Boyes, aged 19, of Commercial Road, near Alphington, Exeter, was jailed for 17 years after a jury in October 2025 found him guilty of nine sexual offences, including two counts of rape.
Boyes, who last week was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court, had denied raping or sexually assaulting two teenage girls in May last year, prompting the judge to describe his actions as ‘breathless arrogance and distorted thinking’.
On sentencing, the judge said Boyes had ‘charmed and alarmed’ his victims, and was misogynistic and derogatory towards any women he encountered while in custody, and in the lead-up to his court trial.
JAILED: Sonny Boyes, aged 19, from Exeter, preyed on two young women, where he displayed aggressive and sexually harassing behaviour towards them. Photo: D&C Police.
Detective Constable Jordan Pearce, investigating officer, said: “We welcome the sentence handed down by the court, 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.”
The court heard how Boyes raped a 16-year-old girl near Digby & Sowton railway station, in Exeter, shortly before 9pm on May 9, 2025, after they both got off the same train.
The teenage girl had never met Boyes before, but he targeted her, asking her to hold his beer while he urinated in the bushes.
Moments later Boyes raped and sexually attacked her, until she fled and called for help.
He continued to hang around the station and some 45 minutes after he raped his first victim, he set his sights on a 17-year-old girl, talking to her about sex and touching her.
She loudly told him ‘no’ multiple times, but he ignored her and followed her onto her train, subjecting her to a ‘forceful and persistent’ assault.
Boyes, who got off the train at the next stop, was arrested in Exeter city centre that evening after other passengers and rail staff rallied to help the victim and reported her attacker to the police.
A Devon and Cornwall police spokesperson said: “Boyes, of Commercial Road, Exeter, raped a 16-year-old girl near Digby & Sowton train station, shortly before 9pm, after having both got off the train there. They had not met before that day, but he asked her to hold his beer while he urinated in nearby bushes, before raping and sexually assaulting her. The victim was able to flee the area and called for help.
“While still hanging around the train station, 45 minutes later, Boyes was seen with a 17-year-old girl, who he struck up struck up a conversation with. He very quickly turned the interaction sexual and began touching her – despite her saying no on numerous occasions. The ‘forceful and persistent’ assault continued on the train. The victim described that she ‘loudly told him to stop’, in hopes that others would hear.
“When Boyes left the train at the next stop, members of the public and train staff approached the victim, and the incident was immediately reported to police.
“He was arrested in Exeter City Centre at 10.20pm that evening and taken into custody. He was charged and appeared at court on 12 May.”
Boyes denied any wrongdoing but the jury in October 2025 saw through his lies and he was found guilty of nine charges, including two rapes. He was found not guilty of one count of rape.
He was jailed for 17 years, with an extended licence of seven years, and must sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and be subject to an indeterminate Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The force spokesperson said: “On sentencing, the judge said that Boyes had ‘charmed and alarmed’ the victims, 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.”
