A 60-year-old man from Tewkesbury has been sentenced to eight years in prison for raping a woman multiple times.
Vernon Steele, who is from the Northway area, had previously denied four counts of rape, but following a trial at Gloucester Crown Court, a jury unanimously found him guilty of all charges.
It took the jury just 34 minutes to reach their verdicts on Monday 16 June.
The court heard how in June 2023, Steele had befriended the woman, who had significant learning difficulties.
Steele began to visit the woman regularly and told her neighbours that he was helping her with household chores and keeping her company.
The following month Steele showed her a video of him masturbating and pornography on his phone. The woman did not like this and told Steele to stop.
A few days later Steele raped the woman in her bedroom.
Steele then raped the woman in her home on three more occasions over the next ten days.
His crimes were reported to the police after a neighbour found the woman distressed and crying in her flat. She disclosed that Steele had raped her on four occasions and that she had said no each time.
Officers attended and spoke with the woman and Steele was arrested on suspicion of rape.
When Steele was interviewed by officers, he denied having engaged in any sexual activity with the woman and he was released on police bail to allow for further enquiries to take place.
Steele was re-interviewed by officers in December 2023 following an investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Criminal Investigation Department. He was shown forensic evidence which supported the woman’s report that he had raped her.
Following this disclosure, Steele changed his account of events and said that he had consensual sexual intercourse with the woman on one occasion.
Following a police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges for four counts of rape. After he appeared at court, the court released him on bail.
Steele failed to appear at Gloucester Crown Court on 22 November 2024 and a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
Gloucestershire Police then published a wanted appeal on their social media channels and he was located in the Newent area following sightings from members of the public.
Steele was re-arrested on 20 December 2024 and remanded in custody to await trial.
As well as being sentenced to eight years in jail, Steele will be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Sentencing Steele, Judge Rupert Lowe said: “You conceived that this vulnerable woman might be an outlet for your sexual frustrations. You showed her sexual video material on your phone but she didn’t want to see it.
“You were not to be deterred by her lack of enthusiasm for this and you got her into her own bedroom and removed her lower clothing and had sexual intercourse without her consent which is an offence of rape.”
Investigating officer Detective Constable Jon Furse said: “Steele raped the woman multiple times. He knew she was extremely vulnerable, and she had repeatedly told him no, but he ignored her and raped her. He subjected her to horrific crimes that will impact her for the rest of her life.
“Even though he denied the multiple charges of rape, the wealth of evidence we presented to the court meant his lies were uncovered with the jury returning a guilty verdict for all four counts in just 34 minutes.
“I would like to commend the victim in this case for her bravery and I would encourage anyone who has been raped to report it to us. Our specially-trained officers will listen and you will be believed and supported every step of the way.”
To report a rape call 999 in an emergency or report by calling 101 or online: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/
Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre provide support for all victims and survivors of sexual violence, for more information visit: https://www.glosrasac.org/
