Jailed after admitting kidnapping and rape in East Hampshire
It's after a teenage girl was attacked in a wooded area on her way to school
21-year-old Oliver Smith has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to multiple offences, including kidnapping and rape in Bordon.
Smith, of South Hurst, Whitehill, who identifies as transgender and uses they/them pronouns, entered the pleas when they appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday 4 November. They admitted:
• Rape.
• Attempted rape.
• False imprisonment.
• Committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.
• Threatening another with a blade.
• False imprisonment.
• Causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.
• Breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Smith appeared again at the same court today, where they were jailed for 12 years with a further six year and six month extension to their license period.
The investigation was launched after police received a report on Friday 27 September that a teenage girl had been raped by a man unknown to her in the Deadwater Valley area, after he approached her in a wooded area on her way to school and threatened her with a bladed box cutter.
A search of the area was conducted immediately and following a number of subsequent enquiries, Smith was arrested on Saturday 28 September. They were found having fled by train to Mallaig, a remote area at the end of the train line in Scotland, and was brought back to Hampshire by colleagues from Police Scotland.
Upon sentencing, the judge said that Smith’s behaviour was “planned and premediated … calculated and predatory” and that they were “sure Smith planned what to do that day.”
The judge also added that they wanted to “pay tribute to the victim’s extraordinary courage” and that the “profound trauma cannot be understated.” They noted that “she was very vulnerable” and “should have expected to walk to school in safety”.
Investigating officer for this case, PSI Doug Gould from Operation Amberstone said, “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that Oliver Smith’s shocking predatory behaviour will not be tolerated.
“Smith’s actions have had a serious impact not only on the victim, who has shown tremendous courage throughout proceedings, but also on the community in Bordon as well.
“I’d like to commend the victim for her bravery and her support and hope that this sentence will provide some closure. I also hope this case encourages others to speak out and seek support if they have been the victim of sexual assault.”
Detective Inspector Claire Shawley said, “We will not tolerate violence against women and girls in our community and I am especially pleased that we were able to apprehend Smith so swiftly, as they pose a very serious threat to the public and deserves to be behind bars.
“It is our promise to anyone who comes forward to report any crime of a sexual nature that you will be listened to, believed and have the allegations taken extremely seriously. We have teams of specially trained officers who are dedicated not only to investigating these types of crimes, but to also ensuring that victims are put first and fully supported throughout the process.”
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