Women's evidence helps put Chelmsley rapist behind bars

POLICE have paid tribute to the bravery of the two women whose evidence helped convict a teenage rapist.
Thomas Hampson, 18, of Yorkminster Drive, Chelmsley Wood, was last week jailed for 12 years after raping one woman and sexually assaulting another.
The defendant was still only 17 when he met a woman in a local pub in April last year.
The 30-year-old victim vaguely knew Hampson and, believing him to be trustworthy, accepted a lift home in his car.
However, he did not in fact own a vehicle and shortly after leaving the pub, he grabbed the woman and dragged her into nearby woodland.
It was in this secluded location that he had attacked and raped her.
Within 24 hours, Hampson was arrested by detectives from West Midlands Police, but he denied attacking the woman and was released under investigation while officers' enquiries continued.
Seven months later Hampson met another woman in Chelmsley Wood town centre.
Now 18, Hampson arranged to meet up with the 29-year-old and during an early evening in November he walked her to an area of agricultural land near the M6 motorway, where he sexually assaulted and attempted to rape her.
She was left in such a state of shock that she fled onto the motorway network.
The woman was unable to name her attacker, but enquiries by detectives led them to identify Hampson as the suspect.
Although he tried to evade arrest, he was captured within a few days. The defendant maintained his innocence throughout police interviews, but evidence allowed officers to charge him with both offences.
Hampson stood trial and was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court in July.
He has been sentenced to 12 years plus an extended licence period of five years because he is classed as a danger to women.
Det Insp Westley Martin, from Solihull Police, said: “Both of these women have been supported by specially trained officers throughout the investigation and they have shown tremendous courage in providing evidence against Hampson.
"I would like to thank them for their resolve in bringing this dangerous man to justice.
"This type of attack is thankfully very rare. The investigation into Hampson’s offending was a high priority for us and officers worked tirelessly to ensure that he was made accountable for his barbaric actions.
"Hopefully, his sentence will bring some small comfort to the two women in this case and allow for the wider public to be protected from him in future."
Hampson will also remain on the Sex Offender Register for life.