Prison sentence increased for Tewkesbury rapist

A man from Tewkesbury, who was found guilty of raping a woman multiple times, has had his sentence increased from eight to 12 years in prison.

Vernon Steele, aged 60 and from the Northway area, befriended the woman, who had significant learning difficulties, in June 2023.

He began to visit the woman regularly and told her neighbours that he was helping her with household chores and keeping her company.

The following month Steele showed her a video of him masturbating and pornography on his phone. The woman did not like this and told Steele to stop.

A few days later Steele raped the woman in her bedroom. Steele then raped the woman in her home on three more occasions over the next ten days.

His crimes were reported to the police after a neighbour found the woman distressed and crying in her flat. She disclosed that Steele had raped her on four occasions and that she had said no each time.

Steele was found guilty of four counts of rape and was initially sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court in July this year to eight years in prison and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

His sentence was then referred to the Court of Appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service to be reviewed under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. 

At a hearing on Tuesday 28 October, the Court of Appeal concluded that the original sentence was unduly lenient given the number of offences and their seriousness, and increased Steele's sentence from eight to 12 years.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jon Furse said: "I welcome the Court of Appeal's decision to increase Steele's time in prison. 

“He subjected an extremely vulnerable woman to horrific crimes that will have a long-lasting impact on her and the increased sentence recognises the seriousness of his offending.

"I also want to renew my thanks to the victim in this case for coming forward and reporting Steele's crimes. I hope this encourages victims to feel confident in reporting rape and sexual offences to police and demonstrates that our officers will always strive to secure justice for victims."

Robert Readfern of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: "Sentences in sexual violence cases must reflect the gravity of the crimes. CPS prosecutors challenged Vernon Steele's eight-year term as unduly lenient because it failed to account for the repeated attacks and their seriousness. The Court of Appeal agreed and increased his sentence to twelve years."

To report a rape call 999 in an emergency or report by calling 101 or online: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/ 

First Light provides support for all victims and survivors of sexual violence, for more information visit: https://www.firstlight.org.uk/

Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre provide support for all victims and survivors of sexual violence, for more information visit: https://www.glosrasac.org/

Police are appealing for information to help locate a wanted man from Stroud.

Ian Kingston, aged 38 and of no fixed abode, is wanted on suspicion of burglary and theft from motor vehicle offences which are alleged to have been committed in the Stroud area.

Kingston is described as being 5ft 5ins in height, of a slim build and has shaven hair with stubble-style facial hair.

Officers have pursued a number of lines of enquiry to find Kingston, but have been unable to locate him, and are now asking for information from the public. 

Anyone who has seen Kingston or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident 140 of 5 November.

If you can see Kingston at the time of calling or have recently seen him, dial 999 instead and ask for police.

Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through their online form: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously

Vehicle crime is often opportunistic and police are reminding residents to check that vehicle doors are locked and personal belongings or valuables are removed where possible.

For crime prevention information visit: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/ 

VERNON STEELE