Hammersmith man jailed for 12 years for rape and assault

A man who raped and assaulted a woman has been sentenced to 12 years in jail.

Ashley James Barton, 39, of Bute Gardens, Hammersmith, was jailed for two counts of rape and one count of assault by beating.

In early 2021, Barton raped a woman in her 30s, having assaulted her months before by punching her in the face for no reason, which resulted in a black eye.

The victim told the court that she feared for her life.

Barton was originally tried for these matters in November 2021, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the rape offences. He was, however, convicted of assault by beating.

In May 2022, following a retrial, he was found guilty of two counts of rape and was subsequently sentenced as above.

On sentencing, Judge Duncan said: “You did not care how much you were hurting her. You have always maintained an account that she [the victim] was lying and unstable.

“You portray yourself as a ‘knight in shining armour’ but with the complainant you did your best to undermine her at every opportunity.

“You gas-lighted and insulted her and her self-confidence is in tatters because of you. You are manipulative and lack insight both then and now. You display an entrenched form of misogyny in your past and in your current behaviour.

“You show a pattern of behaviour which is deeply disturbing. You have shown no acceptance of responsibility which is of deep concern. There is a significant risk of you committing further offences against women.”

Barton was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order [SHPO] and one of the conditions of this is that he has to inform the police of any intimate relationships he enters into. There is no expiry on this.

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.