Laila Rouass has told fans she was once raped by someone she knew but claims, after reporting it to police the next year, she was advised “not to take it any further” as a conviction was unlikely.
The 47-year-old actress, who has appeared in Holby City, Footballers’ Wives and Strictly, said she’d “shed so many tears” over the incident.
She spoke out on Twitter after US comedian Bill Cosby was jailed for three to ten years for sexual assault.
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Laila tweeted: “It’s encouraging to see Cosby jailed for his crimes. I was raped by someone I knew and once I found the courage to report it to the police a year or so later I was advised by them not to take it any further because it would be unlikely to get a conviction.
“I shed so many tears.”
The actress, who is engaged to snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan, was inundated with support from her social media followers.
She did not provide any further details or information about the incident.
Laila found fame as Amber Gates on ITV’s Footballers’ Wives, before going to star as Sahira Shah on Holby City.
She’s also appeared in Hollyoaks, Primeval, Doctor Who, Spooks and Family Affairs, and took part in the seventh series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The star announced her engagement to five-time World Champion Ronnie, 42, in 2013, after they met the previous year.
In August last year, Laila was caught up in the Barcelona attack and tweeted to fans as she hid in a restaurant freezer.
She said: “In the middle of the attack. Hiding in a restaurant freezer. Happened so fast. Praying for the safety of everyone here x.”
Laila later posted: “Thank you to the staff at the restaurant for staying calm and keeping us safe. I love you Barcelona.”
13 people were killed and at least 130 people injured when a van was driven into pedestrians.
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