Man jailed for historic rape and sexual assault

A Stevenage man has been sentenced to eight years in prison in connection with historic rape and sexual assault offences.

Following an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary's Non-Recent Sexual Offences Investigation Team, James Simpson, aged 38, of Colts Corner, was charged with three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault by penetration in 2022.

The incidents occurred between January 2015 and December 2019.

On the first day of his trial, Simpson pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault by penetration having pleaded not guilty to all counts at a previous hearing.

After a nine-day trial at St Albans Crown Court, he was subsequently convicted of one count of rape and acquitted on all further charges.

Simpson was jailed on Thursday 25 May and will have to serve at least two thirds of his sentence.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register until a further order is made, while a 10-year restraining order was also placed on him preventing any contact with the victim.

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Detective Constable Sam Hunt, who led the investigation, said: "I would like to praise the victim for her courage in coming forward and for the dignity she has shown throughout the trial. I hope this court result will give her some closure and allow her to move forward with her life."