Locations
Hatch Gate, Whitchurch Hill, Reading, RG30
Description
Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been sentenced for rape.
Jonathan Goldsmith, aged 52, of Hatch Gate, Whitchurch Hill, Reading was sentenced on Friday 15 May, at a hearing at Reading Crown Court, to 28-years imprisonment, with four of those years on licence.
He was found guilty of seven counts of rape and one count of blackmail following a three-week trial at the same court.
In 2002, Goldsmith threatened a woman, who was in her late teens, with a knife and raped her in a parked car in London.
Between 2005 - 2019, Goldsmith subjected a woman, who was in her late teens when they first met in Oxford, to multiple rapes, many of which involved physical violence and left her with injuries. His visited her home in Reading and continued this abuse, he captured images and videos of the abuse and blackmailed the victim with this material to prevent her from speaking about it.
In 2014, Goldsmith met a woman, in her twenties, on a dating site, and in December he raped her, leaving her with injuries.
Goldsmith was arrested on 11 August 2002, 6 December 2014 and 14 April 2021.
He was charged on 29 January 2026.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Rachel Belsher said: “I am so grateful to the complainants in this case for the remarkable bravery and courage they have shown.
“Jonathan Goldsmith is a serial rapist and has finally been held to account for his crimes.
“He targeted women who he knew to be vulnerable and whom he assumed would never be believed. He was wrong.
“The complainants have had to persevere in a very long and very invasive investigation and then trial process. I would like to thank these incredible women for making sure that Jonathan Goldsmith cannot hurt any more women.
“I would like this conviction to show that no matter your circumstances, Thames Valley Police is committed to investigating violence against women and girls. If you are a victim of violence then please be reassured that we have specially trained officers who will listen and support you.
“I would like to thank CPS Paralegal Mandy Dutton-Webb and prosecution trial counsel Ms Kim Preston and Mr Adam Williams for their expertise and hard work in getting the outcome we have.”