A Swindon man has been jailed for 11 years after he was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Edward Booth, 27, of Corfe Road, Toothill, has been standing trial at Swindon Crown Court this week. Yesterday (Thursday 19 September), he was found guilty and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and issued with a restraining order. Back in March this year, Booth confronted his victim, who was known to him, at her home address in Swindon. He pushed her, punched her in the face several times and then sexually assaulted her. When his victim fell to the floor, he dragged her across the room by her hair, causing an injury to her head, before cutting her arms and face with pieces of glass. His victim, despite her injuries, managed to break free and call out to a member of the public for help, who alerted police. On a previous occasion, Booth sexually assaulted her and caused her injury in multiple incidents including using a Taser on her, perforating her ear drum through physical abuse and many more occasions where the victim was hospitalised. Detective Constable Jason Walsh said: “Booth is a prolific and dangerous offender who has failed to cooperate with police on numerous occasions and continuously denied any involvement, pleading not guilty to the offences and therefore putting his victim through a trial process which would have been distressing and upsetting having to relive the ordeal he put her through in a court room. “This investigation has been a long and complex case but our priority throughout has been securing justice for the vulnerable victim who has been abused both physically and sexually over a number of years. “I am pleased that a jury has found Booth guilty of these despicable crimes and that the judge has recognised he is a danger to women and he will now serve a lengthy prison sentence. “I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the victim in this case – despite feeling terrified and threatened of Booth over many years, her bravery and courage enabled us to put this man before the courts. “I’d like to reassure anyone who may find themselves in a similar position but is concerned about contacting police, that you will be provided with support throughout the court process and beyond.” |
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