Rapist jailed for more than 14 years after also admitting controlling and coercive behaviour

A man who raped a woman while also exerting controlling and coercive behaviour over her has been jailed.

Thirty-nine-year-old Henry Smith also pleaded guilty to one count of burglary – in which he stole cash from her home in the Wigston area – when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 15 August).

On 11 June 2022, Smith’s victim left her home to meet family but, on her return, found that cash had been taken from her address. A family member who suspected Smith was responsible called him and he was later arrested by police.

This then led to her telling police about other offences he had committed against her.

She told detectives that in October 2021 Smith raped her while they were together in East Goscote, using physical violence against her in order to commit the act. She also said he had also exerted controlling and coercive behaviour over her.

She said Smith had followed her to ATMs and made her withdraw money for him and had also limited her contact with friends and family – essentially controlling how she lived her life.

Smith, of no fixed address, had denied the charges but on the second day of his trial, pleaded guilty. He was jailed for 11 years for rape and given a consecutive three-year sentence for controlling and coercive behaviour. The offences also put him in breach of a 10-month suspended sentence he had previously received for sexual assaulting another female – resulting in a total of 14 years and 10 months’ imprisonment.

He was also given a three-year sentence for burglary, to be served concurrently.

Smith was placed on the sex offenders register for life and is subject to an indefinite restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim or her family.

Henry Smith

Detective Constable Rachael Lee, the investigating officer, said: “Smith was a man who wanted ultimate control over his victim. He was manipulative and made her life a living nightmare.

“Until the last minute, he tried to deny what he had done but pleaded guilty when his victim attended court to give her evidence against him.

“She has shown unbelievable strength and courage throughout the investigation and I hope the fact he’s now serving a significant sentence for his crimes brings her a sense that justice has finally been done and allows her to move on with her life.”

• There are a number of different agencies who are able to offer independent help and support to victims of sexual offences in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
• Further information on these services and details on who to contact if you have been a victim of a sexual offence can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences