A teenage rapist who struck again just weeks after
A teenage rapist who struck again just weeks after being
given bail by magistrates is now facing a ‘substantial’ jail
term.
Wayne Thomas, 19, orchestrated the gang-rape of a terrified
virgin and was on bail for that when he burst into the home of
another teenager and viciously raped her.
He was tried separately on both rape counts and was found
guilty.
He admitted robbing the second victim at knifepoint.
Thomas, of Ferguson Drive, Westcott Park Estate, Acton, will
be sentenced tomorrow Friday for both rapes, but before two
different judges – he was tried before separate judges.
Judge Brian Capstick QC told him: ‘I don’t want you to
harbour any hopeful thoughts.
You are going to custody and for
a very substantial time.
‘
Thomas will first face justice for the gang-rape, which was
described by presiding Judge Bruce Laughland as ‘disgusting and
humiliating’.
He will then be brought before Judge Capstick to be sentenced
for raping the 17-year-old.
That judge told him today: ‘I propose to pass a consecutive
sentence.
This offence is aggravated by the other rape.
‘
Thomas was granted bail on September 18 last year after being
committed for the gang-rape of a 14-year-old schoolgirl by West
London Magistrates.
It was only after he was arrested again for the rape of a
17-year-old advertising agency worker that he was finally remanded
in custody.
He was found guilty of the first rape in January this year.
His co-defendants, Marcus West 17, and Noel Cadogan, 16, aided
and abetted the rape carried out by Thomas.
They were each sentenced to four years youth custody after
being told by Judge Laughland: ‘If you are old enough to commit
rape, you are old enough to pay the appropriate penalty.
‘
Judge Laughland specifically asked for Thomas to be brought
back before him for sentence.
The second rape, on October 4 last year, began when he burst
into his victim’s Brentford home and immediately forced her into
her bedroom.
He had only met her minutes before, his sobbing victim told
the court.
‘He went mad.
He just flipped.
‘It was obvious what he wanted.
‘
After the humiliating rape, he revealed a knife and robbed
her of her televison, video, stereo and cash.
Thomas, who has five GCSEs, admitted robbery but claimed the
girl consented to sex.
The jury rejected his lies.
Credit cards belonging to three women who had been violently
mugged in the Acton area were found in his room but he has not
been charged with those offences.
In the light of the rape convictions, a further charge of
handling stolen goods was not proceeded with.
ENDS
