A nonce, Runakl Shawn Delecia, convicted of raping a 17-year-old girl in Southampton city centre has been sentenced to seven years and three months in prison.
Runakl Shawn Delecia, 45, of Lynton Road, Bristol, was sentenced today (Friday, 21 March) at Southampton Crown Court after being convicted of rape at the same court earlier this month.
The court was informed that the victim, currently 19 but 17 at the time of the event, was approached by Runakl Shawn Delecia in the Carlton Place area of the city centre at approximately 1:30 AM on Sunday, April 9, 2023, soon before she was raped.
Runakl Shawn Delecia was observed on CCTV escorting the girl from Carlton Place to Carlton Crescent. Following the identification of Runakl Shawn Delecia by security personnel in the vicinity, he was apprehended by law enforcement and charged with the offence, which he refuted.
After a six-day trial at Southampton Crown Court, a jury convicted him of rape on Monday, March 3, and he has been sentenced to seven years and three months in jail.
Detective Constable Laura Cook, the officer overseeing the case from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s specialised unit for rape and serious sexual offences, Operation Amberstone, stated: “Primarily, I wish to extend my gratitude to the victim for her assistance in securing justice against Runakl Shawn Delecia for this heinous and predatory crime.”
The fortitude required to report incidents of this sort should not be undervalued, and Runakl Shawn Delecia’s incarceration serves as evidence of her heroism in coming forward and aiding our investigation.
The Operation Amberstone team diligently focusses on apprehending rape offenders and provide specialised assistance to impacted survivors.
I hope this statement aids the young woman in achieving closure and progressing with her life. We wish for our communities and survivors of abuse to understand that we support them and will do all efforts to ensure offenders are held accountable.
Chief Inspector Mark Lumley of Southampton stated, “We are satisfied with this sentence today and hope it conveys a definitive message to anyone intending to inflict harm in our city center.” No individual in our society should ever find themselves in a situation where they do not feel secure while traversing the streets. Targeting an individual in this manner is reprehensible and will not be condoned by law enforcement.
My colleagues and I, who diligently collaborate with our esteemed partner agencies to guarantee that Southampton remains a secure and inviting destination after dusk, are dedicated to safeguarding all individuals in our city centre.
“We were able to swiftly identify and apprehend Runakl Shawn Delecia due to the assistance of our security personnel, the nearby pubs and clubs, and the utilisation of CCTV.”
“We persist with our committed patrols during peak hours at our pubs and clubs.” Our police, in collaboration with partners, prioritise identifying and safeguarding vulnerable individuals, while also targeting and confronting perpetrators, arresting them, and employing dispersion powers where appropriate.
“In Southampton, we diligently collaborate with organisations that assist survivors to address sexual offenses.” We aim to instill confidence in you to approach us, assured that you will be believed and supported if you or someone you know has had an incident.
Rape and sexual assaults exert a profound impact on victims. We wish to inform you that assistance is accessible, even if you are not prepared to engage with law enforcement. Do not endure in quiet; you may contact law enforcement or a sexual abuse support organisation. Your concerns will be acknowledged and you will receive assistance.
For additional information regarding available help and the process for reporting to the police, please visit https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/rape-sexual-assault-support/
We urge any those impacted by sexual abuse to report the incident to the police by calling 101 or utilising our online reporting form.
Always dial 999 if a crime is occurring or if you see a threat to your safety.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.