Deviant Croydon rapist is jailed for 12 years
BY KATE DENNETT
toby@slpmedia.co.uk
A ‘predatory’ rapist has been jailed for 12 years for raping and assaulting a woman with multiple sclerosis.
Luke Sewell, 30, of Westgate Road, Croydon raped and assaulted a woman on April 8.
Sewell forced the victim to take a freezing cold shower for an hour. He then threw a saucepan of water at her and hit her with it.
He left her heavily bruised after hours of degrading abuse and raped her at a self-storage property.
The victim persuaded Sewell to drive her to the storage company – Dunsfold – the next day to collect her belongings so she could move back in with him.
She then told the staff there that she was raped and assaulted the day before.
The staff kept her safe until officers arrived and arrested him.
He was found guilty of rape and causing actual bodily harm, following an eight-day trial at Guildford Crown Court on October 17.
Sewell appeared at Guildford Crown Court on November 28 for sentencing. He received a 12-year custodial sentence with an extended three years on licence and an indefinite restraining order.
Speaking in her impact statement, his victim said: “I am still suffering with the injuries to my chest that he inflicted upon me.
I can’t go to the gym because of my injuries, I loved to go to the gym and it is also a very important part of managing MS to build my strength.
“I feel what happened with him has made me develop habits such as proving to my new partner what I am doing on my phone.
I want to be able to break this habit and the feeling of having to explain myself all of the time.”
His Honour Judge Rufus Taylor said the victim was degraded and humiliated for hours to make sure she submitted to the rape.
Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Mike Powell, of the Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said: “The harrowing facts of this case including details of the extreme level of violence and degradation inflicted upon the victim has led a jury to find Sewell guilty of rape and causing actual bodily harm following an eight day trial at Guildford Crown Court.
“The victim has shown remarkable courage in coming forward, reporting this offence and delivering her evidence during the course of a trial.
Through her actions, a dangerous and deviant sexual offender will be prevented from committing further similar crimes against others.
“Serious sexual assaults will not be tolerated by Surrey Police.
This conviction sends a clear message to anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual abuse that we will do all we can to investigate each case fully and seek to prosecute those responsible.”
Surrey Police has specially trained officers to help domestic abuse survivors and take allegations of sexual assault very seriously.
Call 101 or 999 to report domestic abuse.