Ex-Premier League footballer Nathan Ashton, 37, who raped two women in separate attacks including one in the back of his car is jailed for 16 years

A former Premier League footballer was jailed for 16 years today after a jury convicted him of raping two women in separate incidents eight years apart.

Nathan Ashton, 37, who made a Premier League appearance for Fulham FC, drove his first victim out of Reading, Berkshire into the countryside where he ordered her into the back seat of his car and raped her in 2015.

Afterwards, the former footballer callously said: 'You'll live'.

Reading Crown Court heard that the woman waited years before reporting the rape, saying she blamed herself.

The disgraced 37-year-old sportsman, who played for Wycombe Wanderers between 2008 and 2010 and is an ex-England youth international, went on to attack another woman in 2023.

During the trial, the court heard that whilst the first victim did not report the incident to police for five years, she went to a sexual health clinic a day after the rape, where she revealed what had happened.

Prosecutor Ahmed Hossain, speaking during the trial, said: 'She had told people at the time what had happened but she didn't contact the police in 2015, as she blamed herself and she was afraid of not being believed.'

The second rape happened in February 2023 when the victim said she had gone to sleep in a friend's bed and awoke to find Ashton forcing himself on her.

The defendant ignored her repeated demands that he stop and the woman reported the attack to police shortly after it took place.

Ashton, born in Beckton, London started his football career on the youth team of Charlton Athletics between 2005 and 2006.

He signed for Fulham in August 2007, making his debut in the 3-1 win against Reading in November 2007. 

He went on to play for Crystal Palace before joining Wycombe Wanderers in July 2008 on a two-year deal.

Today one of the victims read her own victim personal statement from the courtroom witness stand.

She said: 'The impact of what happened to me will be with me forever - the conviction does not free me of that, nothing can.

'The one thing that has kept me going throughout my ordeal and my one and only reason for being here, is my children.'

She later added: 'Because of what he chose to do to me, I have feared men ever since - and always will.

'The feelings I hold for him are disgust and hatred. I think he is a vile human being.'

The victim spoke to Ashton who appeared from custody at HMP Bullingdon via a video link.

Bravely she told him that he had not beaten her, she would never be beaten and she would be free one day.

The second victim also read her victim impact statement from the stand, telling the judge she now suffers from panic attacks and sleep apnea - describing a 'far reaching and devastating impact' on her life.

Defence barrister Catherine Purnell: 'Who could fail to be moved by those victim personal statements read out in person? Who could fail to be moved by those words?'

However, Ms Purnell said it was her responsibility to speak on behalf of Ashton, in the most 'diplomatic' terms.

Ms Purnell added: 'As Your Honour can see from his letter, he is sorry for the pain that he has caused.'

However, Judge Mathew Turner said: 'His remorse, I am afraid to say, I treat as limited in this case.'

During his conclusions, the judge told Ashton: 'You used your physical strength to do what you wanted, with no empathy or compassion for your victims.

'You are manipulative and focused on yourself and your own sexual satisfaction.'

Ashton was jailed for 16 years for two counts of rape.

A restraining order was imposed for 16 years in relation to the two victims and he will be placed of the Sex Offenders' Register for life.