Description
A murderer and serial sex attacker dubbed 'the Clifton Rapist' is back behind bars after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman whilst out on licence. Ronald Evans, now 82, is Britain's longest serving prisoner having been jailed for a string of rapes in Bristol between 1977 and 1979.
He had previously served 11 years for the murder and rape of a woman in 1963. He was released from jail under a lifetime licence in 2018 but has been on remand since his arrest and will be sentenced later this week after his conviction for molesting a woman at her home.
He was convicted at Harrow Crown Court, sitting at Hendon Magistrates of one count of sexual assault in a majority verdict of 11 to one. Appearing emotionless as the jury returned their verdicts after more than five hours deliberation he was cleared of two other counts of sex assault against a different woman
The jury in his week long retrial had been told of his previous sexual offences but his conviction for the horrific rape and murder of 21-year-old shop worker Kathleen Heathcote in 1963 was not disclosed to them. Evans admitted killing Heathcote in the Nottingham area after police found some of the victims possessions in his home.
He spent 11 years in prison before being released on a life license in 1975 and reoffending with the string of rapes on Clifton's downs in Bristol. Evans, dressed in a beige cardigan over his grey prison tracksuit and using a crutch to help him walk, told his trial he felt remorse for his previous offences but had been nothing but kind to his two latest alleged victims.
He denied three counts of sexual assault made by two separate women whom he met at a community centre in London, saying he was a reformed man who had changed his ways. Both women became tearful whilst giving their evidence in court.
The jury were told he had nine previous convictions - eight of indecent assault and one of rape - against women dating back to between 1977 and 1979. Evans terrorised the Clifton and Durdham Downs for around 20 months in the late 70s; targeting young women aged between 18 and 33 in sex attacks down dark alleyways of the city.
A honey-trap operation codenamed Argus was eventually enacted by police at the beginning of 1979 to ensnare Evans, with 11 brave young female officers acting as bait for the elusive criminal over a period of 11 weeks. Evans trial heard he was released from prison - after a total of 57 years inside - in November 2018.
The jury heard Evans began volunteering at a community centre and that, despite his old age, had maintained his inappropriate sexual desires.
After analysing his mobile phone, officers also found searches to Pornhub and sexualised conversations with friends. Why is this relevant? Ms Sales asked the jury in her opening. Well, the Crown say it is relevant because Mr Evans is a leopard that cannot change its spots.
Despite his age, he was and remains a sexual predator. The court heard Evans developed relationships with women at the local community centre; woman Ms Sales suggested were targeted by Evans as being vulnerable.
One of his alleged victims, whom Evans was cleared of assaulting told the court he told her: You can trust me; all these ladies love me. I am not trying to get in your knickers Not yet, anyway.
But the second woman who he was convicted of assaulting said he had introduced himself to her as a touchy-feely person. The court heard the second woman he targeted was lonely and wanted to make friends in the area when she befriended Evans, having again met him at the community centre.
In July last year, the woman agreed to go for a meal at a local pub with Evans, and later went back to his home with him. Evans told her he was getting spam emails with nude women on them, and began showing these emails to the increasingly uncomfortable woman.
He then began to touch her on the sofa, before she told him she wanted to go home. Hugging her as she was leaving, he grabbed her right buttock and said: Ooo can I touch your bum?.
The court heard the woman felt shocked and violated by Evans actions and messaged him the following day to say she was upset about what he had done. During a phone call later in the day, Evans said, This kind of talk will get me in trouble, before hanging up.
Ms Sales told the court Evans had targeted both women due to their physical disabilities and mental health issues. There were women with serious mental health issues that [went] to that [community] centre, she said.
That is where you went, to target them. On his previous sex convictions from Bristol, she added: They were all committed against women alone at night time.
Being a man in your 80s, you realised you had to change your tactics. You went to the community centre and seized your opportunity. A lot of people would think that a man in his 80s wouldnt have sexual desires, but its clear you maintained yours over the years.
You identified an opportunity. You are not a young man chasing women in their 30s anymore, you are an elderly man chasing vulnerable women. Are your sexual desires so out of control you cant control yourself?
You would like to think that, Evans quipped back to Ms Sales, before saying he had forgot what he had said moments earlier. Following his arrest in August last year, Evans answered no comment to all questions put to him in police interview.
You have been interviewed many times in your life, Ms Sales continued. You are not new to the criminal justice system; you know how it works, you are a clever man.
The reason the questions were not answered was because you had not made up a story yet. Evans, who became increasingly frustrated with Ms Sales whilst giving evidence, insisted hed treated the two complainants with nothing but kindness, and even suggested one may have brought the charges against him after becoming angry that he had ended their friendship.
However, lawyers said that no matter the result, whether he was cleared or convicted of the fresh sexual allegations, Evans would always have been returned to jail because he had breached the conditions of his licence. Sentencing is due to take place Thursday, November 16.
Her Honour Judge Francis told the jury: Thank you for your time and consideration. We know we are asking a lot from you and you are stepping outside your comfort zone.
But without you, the jury, the criminal justice system would not work. You ensure people have a fair trial.