A teenage serial rapist has been jailed today for attacking teenage girls after targeting them online. The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted on January 28 at Southampton Youth Court to five counts of rape and sexual assault of four girls between 13 to 15-years-old.
The court heard how the youth had been systematically “courting” the girls on the internet before arranging to meet them. He would then take them to isolated places to sexually assault them. In a police interview, the youth denied having known or met most of the girls, before later changing his story when presented with the evidence.
The prosecution team, in collaboration with Wiltshire Police, was able to build a strong case to present to the court, with eyewitness testimony, CCTV footage and evidence from the defendant’s own phone, including a TikTok video from the defendant in which he even described himself as a “serial rapist”.
The court found the youth guilty of all counts following a trial.
He was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment.
Lucy Paddick, a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “The youth in this case exhibited a clear pattern of escalating predatory behaviour towards these young girls.
“Alarmingly, he displayed no remorse for the trauma he has inflicted, denying responsibility for his actions.
“The Crown Prosecution Service arranged for each of the victims to give their evidence in the way that was best for them – to minimise the impact of having to relive their ordeal.
“I would like to commend them all for speaking up; their evidence was instrumental in bringing the perpetrator to justice.
“The CPS remains dedicated to pursuing justice for victims and will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to hold sex offenders accountable – regardless of age.”