Locations
Twyford Road, Eastleigh, SO50 4HH
Description
A man who raped a woman in Lee-on-the-Solent has been jailed for 12 years and a half years.
Richard John Babington, aged 56 years, of Twyford Road in Eastleigh, had been drinking with the woman overnight on 23 February 2019.
Portsmouth Crown Court heard that the woman awoke in the early hours of the morning on 24 February to find Babington seriously sexually assaulting her in a motorhome he owned at a caravan park along Browndown Road.
Babington then continued to rape the woman in the motorhome before she was able to flee and call police.
Officers attended and arrested Babington at the scene.
Following a lengthy investigation, he was subsequently charged with offences, and the case went to trial on 17 May this year.
Despite his denials, Babington was convicted unanimously by the jury of two counts of rape, and one count of assault by penetration on 24 May.
Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court today (Friday 23 July), Babington was jailed for 12 years and 6 months.
Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Heather Hudson said: “This was a horrendous assault, and I commend the bravery of the woman who has had to endure a lengthy investigation and trial process due to Babington’s callous denials.
“He plied this woman with alcohol and took advantage of her, and continued to subject her to a horrendous assault after she regained consciousness.
“I am pleased the jury saw through his lies and he is now being rightly punished for this terrible crime.”