The monster in our midst
The rapist who drugged his victim over a number of years
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“It represents some of the worst behaviour imaginable in humanity and has no place in this day and age”
In a case which echoes the horrors of the French Pelicot family, where a man repeatedly drugged and raped a woman over a number of years , Lee Hampton crushed up sleeping pills and put them inside cold and flu tablets before raping the victim. He was found guilty of numerous counts of rape following a trial by jury at Swindon Crown Court last week.
By Jamie Hill
A man has been found guilty of numerous counts of rape and administering a drug with intent following a trial by jury.
Lee Hampton, 50, of Hollingbourne, Kent, was found guilty of seven counts of rape, four counts of assault by penetration and two counts of administering a drug with intent in a trial at Swindon Crown Court.
The offences took place between January 2017 and October 2020 in Swindon and involved one victim, a woman in her 30s.
Across the four years, Hampton drugged the victim against her will on multiple occasions, crushing sleeping tablets up and putting them inside cold and flu tablets which she consumed, before raping her while she was asleep. He also attempted to spike her food with sleeping pills to facilitate his offending.
Hampton then shared videos and images of his offending with third parties.
In a moving Victim Personal Statement, the woman said: “The psychological damage cannot begin to be put into words, and I don’t know how to try and express the impact this has had on me.
“I worry for my future, that I will never be able to trust anyone again, that I will never enjoy a healthy relationship again, that I will never be me.
“I still have daily flashbacks and nightmares, both of what happened and the unknowns.”
After discovering Hampton’s actions, the victim bravely reported him to the police. He was investigated and subsequently charged and convicted.
He is due to be sentenced at a later date.
Investigating officer DC Kolasinski said: “There is no place in society for the horrific criminality that has taken place here. It represents some of the worst behaviour imaginable in humanity and has no place in this day and age.
“I would like to thank the victim for her unwavering bravery during this investigation and subsequent trial. Without this support, justice may not have been brought to the offender. The courage that she has demonstrated should be admired and inspire others to come forward should they fall victim in such an egregious circumstance.
“I would also like to highlight the diligent, determined, and relentless investigation that has been completed by Complex Crime Investigator Gemma Sole. Whilst she has since left the Force, she supported the victim throughout this investigation and ensured that justice was provided to the victim.”
The case echoes a horrifying, months-long mass rape and drugging trial which occurred in France and finished late last year. The trial concluded in December with Dominique Pelicot and 49 other men all found guilty of rape or sexual assault.
Dominique Pelicot, 72, who solicited dozens of strangers to rape the woman while she was unconscious, received the maximum sentence of 20 years for aggravated rape. Forty-eight other men on trial were found guilty of aggravated rape, with two guilty of sexual assault.
The trial shocked France and pushed the country to examine a culture struggling with pervasive misogyny and systemic sexual assault.
Detectives granted further time to question murder suspect
Detectives investigating the death of a man who was found in Manchester Road, Swindon, on Wednesday (02/07) have been granted further time to question a 31-year-old man who is being held on suspicion of murder.
At around 5.10am, police received a report that a man believed to be in his 20s was seriously injured outside a property in Manchester Road.
He was taken to hospital for urgent treatment but sadly passed away.
DCI Phil Walker, who is leading the ongoing investigation, said: “We are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this tragic incident, and I would like to send my condolences to the family of the victim.
“A broad search of the scene, which meant that Manchester Road had to be cordoned off, has now been significantly scaled back.
“Members of the public will notice ongoing police activity, but the road is now open to traffic.
“We appreciate the disruption that this will have had for those living in the area and I would like to thank them for their patience and support while this important work has been carried out.”
Investigators continue to appeal to a member of the public who initially alerted officers to the incident but did not provide his details - as he may be an important witness.
Officers are also appealing to anyone who was in the area who may have information or recorded footage that may help the investigation.
Please contact them on 101 quoting log 47 of yesterday (02/07).
You can also leave information without giving your name by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
In an emergency always call 999.
Continued appeal to identify man in connection with serious sexual offences
Wiltshire Police are continuing to appeal to the public to identify this man in connection with an investigation into serious sexual offences in Swindon.
In February, officers appealed to identify two men in connection with the investigation. One of the men has now been identified and is one of five men who has been arrested in total.
Detectives are still seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the man shown in these pictures, which were taken in April-May 2022.
The male is of a large build, scarring to the back of his head, prominent lips, hairy body, balding with short or shaved hair, and one distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest at the time of the images.
The victim is a female in her 40s. There is no information to suggest there are any further victims in connection with this incident.
Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith said: “This is a significant investigation with multiple suspects.
“We appreciate the graphic nature of these images and that they may be triggering to some people, however we need the public’s help to identify this man.
“It is unknown whether he lives in Swindon or from outside the county, which is why we request that this is shared as widely as possible to assist our bid to identify him.
“It is important to state that all information has been released with the victim’s full pre-sight and support, and she continues to be supported by specially trained officers.
“I’d also like to thank the numerous members of the public who called in following our appeal in February.
“If you think you recognise this man, please call 101 and quote reference number 54240080286.
“Information can also be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
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