rǻping a woman has been told
that he could have contracted
HIV as a result of the attack
he inflicted upon his victim.
Richard Thomas, 27, collapsed
when police informed him about
the woman's medical status and is still waiting to hear if
he has contracted the incurable virus.
Thomas, of Leigh in Greater Manchester, knew the woman
and was aware that she has another illness but had not
known about the HIV.
The court heard he was shocked when he was told and
asked to be taken to hospital, Liverpool Crown Court
heard.
He had let himself into her home in the middle of the night
and she awoke to find him rǻping her.
'She froze and no words were exchanged. He pulled up
his shorts and left,' said Harry Pepper, prosecuting.
'He was arrested and interviewed and said he had been
drinking heavily, taken cocaine and ecstasy and could not
recall the incident,' he added.
His barrister, Virginia Hayton, said that he still cannot
recall the attack but when told about it he said that the
woman 'would not lie, she tells the truth. If she says I
have done it, I have done it'.
Jailing Thomas for five years and four months Judge
Mark Brown said that he had committed 'this dreadful
offence' while she lay asleep, having taken a sleeping
tablet, and it had left her distressed and anxious.
He also ordered him to sign the Sex Offende
Register for life. Thomas pleaded guilty to rǻping the
woman on July 20 this year.
Miss Hayton said that Thomas, who has previous
convictions but none for sexual offences, is 'remorseful'
and 'cannot understand why he did it and it is troubling
him'.
Torment: A rǻpist recently jailed at Liverpool Crown
Court will have to wait until Friday to find out if he has
caught HIV from his victim
She said that he started using cannabis at the age of nine,
drinking heavily at the age of 11, became addicted to
ecstasy and cocaine at 13 and was put in care the
following year.
He has been trying to contact his family but they want
nothing to do with him and he will now be away from his
partner and their young daughter and his two other older
daughters from previous relationships.
Miss Hayton told the court that Thomas will not find out
the result of his HIV test until Friday and has had the
worry of the outcome hanging over him.
'It is his own fault, if he had not committed this offence
he would not have placed himself in this position.'
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