A Lockleaze Rapist, David Watson-Williams, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, with an additional three-year extended licence, after being convicted of raping a lady in Bristol over twenty years ago.
Another British Gem, David Watson-Williams, 43, of Stanfield Close, Lockleaze, will be permanently included on the sex offenders’ register following his sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on Monday, July 7.
After two days of examining evidence, the jury unanimously convicted David Watson-Williams of raping a woman in a St Pauls flat in the early 2000s, after a mere 45 minutes. He was promptly apprehended on Wednesday, April 30.
The victim, whose identity is withheld for legal reasons, reported in August 2021 that she was raped by a man she recognised.
She was interviewed on film and courageously provided a comprehensive account of the assault that occurred at her residence where she lived alone.
After being escorted to her apartment by a friend at approximately 3am, she left her front door ajar and retired to bed fully attired.
She fell asleep and was thereafter awakened by an individual engaging in sexual activity with her.
She feigned slumber for her own protection but subsequently managed to squint sufficiently to identify the assailant, instantly recognising him as David Watson-Williams.
In a statement presented to the court, the victim expressed: “What should have been a promising chapter in my life was irrevocably disrupted by a man who was fully aware that I harboured no romantic or sexual interest in him.”
“Yet, he hatched, in cruel premeditation, a plan to take what he wanted, with no regard for the destruction he would leave in his wake, that man is you, David. You’re the man that raped me in my bed. The bed in which my childhood memories were scattered lovingly around me.
“The terror you inflicted forced me to leave my home, the place where I should have felt most secure. I had to take refuge from you.
“Now, single, and childless, while I cannot say you are solely responsible for these parts of my life, I know you have been a significant factor. Your actions have altered the course of my life in ways I am still trying to understand and untangle.”
Using information provided by the victim, PC Chris Quick, the officer in the case, was able to quickly identify the suspect as Watson-Williams.
The attacker had several features matching the description provided by the victim, and he also had a conviction for rape since 2003.
Using a passport photo obtained by PC Quick from an application in the early-2000s by the suspect, the victim positively identified the suspect.
PC Quick, formally of Avon and Somerset’s Operation Bluestone Team, which investigates rape and serious sexual assaults, said: “I cannot commend the victim enough for having the bravery to tell us what happened, this is a very traumatic event which she has lived with for nearly 20 years before deciding to report it to the police.
“The sentence reflects the seriousness of what happened to her. She was attacked in her own home, where she should be safe, and has been extremely courageous to come forward about the attack which left her feeling vulnerable and living in fear for years.
“We hope this conviction sends out an important message – any acts of violence will never be tolerated, and every victim deserves to be heard and supported, no matter how long ago the attack took place.”
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