Tapiwanashe Sibanda 27

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“You're not alone.”

These are the words of a woman to other victims and survivors after the man who violently raped her was jailed.

“If something like this has happened to you, simply report it to law enforcement,” she added. “I had very mixed feelings about the case, but the care and support I received was something I'll never regret.

“I felt cared for. I was offered psychological help, I was in constant contact with the police, they called me and asked about my well-being, and during the trial, I was guaranteed complete anonymity. It was a very difficult trial to prove, but the police gathered irrefutable evidence in this case.”

Tapiwanashe Sibanda was jailed for nearly 10 years at St Albans Crown Court on Friday 5 June after being found guilty at a trial last November.

The court had heard how he had invited a female sex worker to a street away from his home in Hatfield in August 2020.

After dark he took her to a secluded area of Ellenbrook Park. There he violently and repeatedly raped her, threatening her with a concealed weapon, before robbing her of her mobile phone.

The woman fled from the scene and was seen distressed and running away by a passerby who stopped to help her, and who also alerted the police.

Sibanda, now aged 27, formerly of Richards Street, Hatfield, was traced and arrested and in interview he said the sex had been consensual.

Detectives from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team investigated the case. Officers also pursued and secured a Sexual Risk Order against Sibanda in order, placing restrictions on his contact with women.

They built a case against Sibanda, and working with partners including Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, who provide independent support to victims and survivors, they earned the confidence of the woman to the point where she felt comfortable to support the investigation.

He was sentenced to nine years and 10 months in prison for rape, robbery and multiple breaches of the risk order. He was also given a sexual harm prevention order meaning he will be monitored by police on his release from prison, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.

In sentencing Judge Andrew Johnson said the impact of Sibanda’s offending was “immense” and that he posed risk of “causing serious harm to women”.

He also commended the professionalism of the police investigation saying:

“The response of the police, demonstrates that the authorities will properly investigate allegations of rape whoever they are made by.”

DC Jon Holmes, investigating, said:

“My first thoughts are with the victim, who endured a terrible ordeal no one should face. With support from specialist officers, she saw this case through, and I commend her courage and determination to achieve justice and help keep our communities safe.

“I am also grateful to the member of the public who assisted her and to those who supported police enquiries.

“I encourage victims, particularly of sexual offences and within the sex worker community, to come forward to Hertfordshire’s specially trained officers. We will listen, take you seriously, offer support, and ensure your wishes remain central throughout the investigation to hold those who abuse or commit violence against others to account for their actions.

“Sexual offending is always a very serious crime. Any person considering or taking part in such activity can expect the police to investigate professionally and relentlessly to bring offenders to justice.”