07/05/2024
Detectives are welcoming the sentencing of a Wavertree man to 18 months in prison following two sexual offences against women in South Liverpool last year.
Theo Raphael, 18, of Picton Road, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today, Tuesday 7 May where he was issued with a five year sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order against his two victims. Raphael must also not enter Mystery Park in Wavertree indefinitely.
The first offence took place at around 6.30pm on Wednesday 20 December on Crosfield Road, Edge Hill. Raphael assaulted a woman in her 60s and as she fell to the ground a car stopped in the road and he ran off.
The second incident occurred at around 7pm on Thursday 28 December, on the footpath near to Liverpool Tennis Centre, off Picton Road in Wavertree. A woman in her 40s was walking her dog when Raphael pushed her to the ground and sexually assaulted her. She resisted and he made off.
Following an extensive investigation, including CCTV appeals, Raphael was arrested in early January and charged with Attempted rape and two counts of Sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to the offences. He has since turned 18 and can therefore now be named.
Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Ashley O’Hare said: “Raphael is an extremely dangerous and predatory offender, reflected in the sentence given to him today. His crimes have caused a huge amount of suffering for his victims and their loved ones
“I would like to take this opportunity to praise the bravery and strength of both of his victims, throughout this investigation and the court process. Although no sentence can take away the devastating impact of what happened last December, we hope that this outcome does at least provide some sense of closure and of justice having been served, as they continue their recovery.
“These incidents caused understandable concern across our communities, and I want to assure people that when such serious crimes take place, we will always investigate thoroughly and with care and compassion.
“If anyone who has suffered a sexual offence and can find the courage to come forward and speak to us, we will support you every step of the way, either directly or through other specialist support services.”
You can report a sexual offence by calling 101 where specially trained officers will talk you through the process. You can also pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.
Victims can also access specialist support services, which are free of charge and available to anyone. You do not need a referral or to have reported an incident to Merseyside Police before you access these specialist support services. These services can support you in a variety of ways, including offering a confidential discussion if you are thinking of making a police report, but are unsure what that involves and would like to discuss it.
You can choose to make an anonymous report through the Sexual Assault Referral Centre called Safe Place, or the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service, rather than coming directly to Merseyside Police.
With no police involvement, a specialist doctor at Safe Place can examine you to check that you are ok and look for DNA evidence, which they will store to support your case. This gives you the option of making a formal police report at a later time, if you choose to.
Support is also available in Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, from Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
If you do not require immediate police assistance then you can report rape and sexual assault via our website here:
https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/
Support is also available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service: Home: Victim Care Merseyside on 0808 175 3080.
Man from Wavertree jailed for sex offences against two women in Liverpool | Merseyside Police
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