Locations
Berryhill Fields, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2
Description
A man who raped a 17-year-old girl in Berryhill Fields has pleaded guilty in court.
We have been working tirelessly to build the evidence against Jason William Heaton, 53, of Hulme, Stoke-on-Trent, who was arrested earlier this month following a report of a rape.
At about 7pm on 2 July, the victim was walking in Berryhill Fields, off Dividy Road, between Bentilee and Berryhill, when she was raped by Heaton.
The victim bravely reported what happened and Heaton was arrested and charged.
We were able to present the court with strong evidence today, which left Heaton no choice but to admit what he did.
At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday (Monday 27 July), Heaton pleaded guilty to two counts of rape of a woman, attempted rape, cause a female 13 or over to engage in sexual activity and kidnap.
He will now be taken to prison ahead of his sentencing date due at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 30 September.
Speaking following the conviction, Detective Constable Samantha Gales said:
“This was a particularly abhorrent attack on the survivor, who has shown immense bravery in coming forward and supporting our investigation.”