Shaun Smith 47

Description

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has been jailed for rape and sexual assault offences carried out across more than two decades.

Shaun Smith, aged 47, of Bernwood Road in Barton, Oxfordshire, was jailed for 18 years at Oxford Crown Court today (29/4).

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and has been issued with restraining orders for each of his victims.

Smith was arrested in March 2017 and again in December 2022. Following a thorough police investigation he was charged on October 18 2024.

Smith had originally pleaded not guilty to one count of rape, one count of sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration. Following a two week trial at Oxford Crown Court, a jury found him guilty of all offences on Wednesday 1 April.

The jury heard how Smith had raped a teenager in Oxford in 2000, had sexually assaulted a woman in her twenties in Hastings in 2012 and had sexually assaulted two women in their thirties in Oxford in 2017 and again in 2022. On each occasion the women were asleep and not able to consent to what was happening.

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Chris Bennett, of Oxfordshire’s Criminal Investigation Department, said:

“I would like to commend the incredible bravery of the women involved in this case. Without their determination, courage and support we may never have known about Smith’s offending and it would have been much harder to bring him to justice. This result today is a testament to them and while it can never undo what has happened, I hope it helps them gain some kind of closure and allow them to move forward with their lives.    

“Smith has proven himself to be a serial sex offender who preys on women while they are asleep and at their most vulnerable, unable to consent. Cases like this are the reason I became an officer and being able to bring dangerous predators like Smith to justice makes me proud to be a detective. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone here at Thames Valley Police who worked incredibly hard to help put Smith behind bars where he cannot harm anyone else.

“I hope that this case shows how seriously we take all reports of rape and sexual offences, no matter when they occurred. My plea today to anyone who has been affected by rape or any sexual offence is to please tell us. You can contact us via our website or call 101 where you can speak to specialist officers in confidence. There are also a range of other services available that can offer you support.”