Hammersmith Rapist Jailed for 12 Years After Retrial


Ashley Barton had previous convictions for violently assaulting women

Serial offender Ashley Barton
Serial offender Ashley Barton. Picture: Met Police

A 37-year-old man from Hammersmith has been described as a dangerous serial offender after he was jailed for assaulting and raping a woman.

It was the latest in a series of offences in which Ashley Barton of Bute Gardens had violently attacked female victims.

The offences were committed in 2020 and 2021 against a woman in her thirties. In the earlier offence Barton punched her in the face without any provocation giving her a black eye. Two months later he raped her, an ordeal during which the victim said she was in constant fear of her life.

Barton was originally tried for these offences in November 2021, but the jury were unable to reach a verdict on the rape charges. He was, however, convicted of assault by beating.

On Tuesday, 17 May 2022, following a retrial, he was found guilty of two counts of rape and was subsequently sentenced to 12 years at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday 28 July.

At no point has Barton shown any remorse for his actions and when giving his evidence in court, referred to himself as the victim. He claimed that the allegations were lies and that the actual victim was the abuser not him.

Barton was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order [SHPO] and one of the conditions of this is that he has to inform the Police of any intimate relationships he enters into. There is no expiry on this order and he was also placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for life.

On sentencing Judge, HHJ Duncan, said, “You did not care how much you were hurting her. You have always maintained an account that she [the victim] was lying and unstable. You portray yourself as a ‘knight in shining armour’ but with the complainant you did your best to undermine her at every opportunity. You gas-lighted and insulted her and her self-confidence is in tatters because of you. You are manipulative and lack insight both then and now. You display an entrenched form of misogyny in your past and in your current behaviour. You show a pattern of behaviour which is deeply disturbing. You have shown no acceptance of responsibility which is of deep concern. There is a significant risk of you committing further offences against women”

Detective Constable Chris Willey of the Central West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) unit based at Charing Cross Police Station said, “Barton is a dangerous serial offender who has previously been convicted on multiple occasions of violently assaulting women.

"His criminal behaviour has escalated over time with the physical assaults becoming more frequent and violent eventually leading to him committing the rapes against the victim in this case. He is a very violent man who directs his anger at women when they are at their most vulnerable.

"It is completely right that he has been given a long custodial sentence during which he will not have the opportunity to victimise women again.

"On release his ability to offend will be severely hampered due to the Sexual Harm Prevention Order that has also been imposed on him.

"The bravery of the victim in this case has been outstanding. She has, unfortunately, had to relive her trauma twice in court and the courage it takes to do this cannot be understated. I hope that she can find some closure and make a fresh start now that proceedings have concluded. We will continue to support her in any way that we can.”

PC Sol Bhugaloo, who supported the victim throughout the investigation, said, "It is my sincere hope that the bravery shown by the victim in this case will encourage all victims of sexual violence of any kind to speak to us.

"You will receive dedicated support from specially trained officers such as myself, you will be listened to and you will be heard”.

 

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July 29, 2022