WARNING DISTRESSING CONTENT: Lennox Smith, 24, raped an unconscious woman several times, leaving her pregnant and suffering a traumatic miscarriage, a court heard as he was jailed
A despicable rapist attacked an unconscious woman repeatedly, leaving her feeling “so alone and trapped in her own thoughts”. Lennox Smith, 24, assaulted the victim multiple times, causing her to fall pregnant before enduring devastating baby loss.
Liverpool Crown Court heard how prosecutor Arthur Gibson explained the woman had no recollection of the attacks, but became suspicious after discovering evidence on her underwear upon waking. He said: “She confronted [Smith]… and he admitted what he had done.” Several weeks into the pregnancy, the victim revealed to a nurse how she had conceived.
A social worker then made contact, and she “confirmed that she had become pregnant as a result of the defendant having sex with her while she was asleep, despite her telling him she didn’t want him to.”
The victim initially chose not to pursue action at that point, reports the Liverpool Echo. A month later, she was rushed to Whiston Hospital whilst miscarrying, requiring surgical intervention.
In her victim personal statement, the woman said: “This has had a huge impact on my life. My whole life got destroyed. I had no control over my life or my body. I was disrespected to the highest levels. Physically I have never felt so weak in my whole life.
“Even though I have support from family and RASA [Rape and Sexual Abuse Support] and the officers on my case, I have never felt so alone and trapped in my own thoughts. My family tell me I’m different now and I’m not the same happy person that I used to be.
“I’m trying to accept there are parts of me I will never get back and trying my best to focus on each day as it comes. I’m ready to take my life back.
“I’m ready to become the best strongest version of myself I possibly can. I’m ready to focus on rebuilding my life properly again and finding myself again. I’m ready to put Lennox Smith in the past.”
Smith, from Upland Road, Thatto Heath, originally denied two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
But he admitted his guilt before the case went to trial.
Anthony O’Donohoe, representing Smith, told the court: “I concede that a significant custodial sentence is inevitable. But I ask the court to take into account that the prison experience will be more difficult for Smith than it might be for other persons given his mental health difficulties and overall difficulties with ADHD, dyslexia, and suffering anxiety and depression.
“However the sentence is composed, I invite the court to make the sentence as short as is consistent with your honour’s public duty.”
Smith was handed a six-year and nine-month prison sentence for both counts of rape, and an additional 18 months for the sexual assault, to be served concurrently. He was also slapped with a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim, and will be on the sex offenders register for life.
Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Bob Sandham praised the victim’s bravery: “I would firstly like to commend the victim for having the courage to report these offences and I hope the sentencing of Smith provides her with some comfort.
“This has been a complex and lengthy investigation, but thankfully we were able to provide enough evidence that Smith had no choice but to admit what he’d done. I hope today’s result shows that violence against women and girls will simply not be tolerated in Merseyside and we will work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.
“We are committed to protecting victims of sexual offences, and anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation by Specially Trained Officers and Sexual Violence Advocates who will provide all the relevant support.
“Anyone that has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us.
“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”