Philip Smith, 29, grabbed the woman round the neck and held a knife to her throat as she waited for the taxi in Bartholomew Square, Brighton, Lewes Crown Court heard.
He raped the woman twice, days after assaulting another woman on a busy Brighton street in broad daylight.
The victim of the second attack – a 31-year-old woman – was able to contact a friend nearby, who rushed to the scene and disturbed the attacker.
Police officers on patrol found Smith with two knives in Quadrophenia Alley in Little East Street.
He was also in possession of class A drugs.
After his arrest, Smith exposed himself and masturbated in the police station.
A court heard the computer science graduate had a “perceived need to dominate women”.
The court, sitting in Hove, heard Smith came from a stable family background, had a good education and a successful career before taking voluntary redundancy.
A psychological assessment found Smith showed no evidence of mental illness.
Her Honour Judge Christine Henson KC described his attitude to women as “deeply troubling”.
Smith, of no fixed address, attacked his first victim on August 5 last year on Old Steine in Brighton.
He sexually assaulted the woman on the street after he said she looked at him “flirtatiously”.
“Three days later, you raped your next victim at knifepoint,” the judge said.
“She was waiting for an Uber.
“The impact on her was immense.”
In a statement the woman said the rapes changed her life completely.
“I hope the time you spend in prison will help you realise women are not just a toy and when they say ‘no’ they mean ‘no’,” she said.
Smith maintained he was “puzzled” by the guilty verdict and still believes the woman was consenting.
“Your lack of insight is deeply troubling,” the judge said.
Smith was charged with two counts of rape, two counts of indecent exposure and one count each of being in possession of a Class A drug, and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He was remanded in custody.
He denied the two rape charges but pleaded guilty to all other offences. Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court a jury found him guilty of both counts of rape on February 26.
The court heard reports found Smith presents a high risk of serious reoffending.
“You clearly have difficulty managing your emotions,” the judge told him.
He has clear feelings of sexual entitlement, power and control issues and a perceived need to dominate women, the judge said.
“The belief you still hold that your rape victim was consenting shows a complete lack of insight,” HHJ Henson said.
The judge sentenced Smith to ten years with an extended three years on licence.
He will spend at least six years in custody before he is eligible to apply for parole.
“I am unable to say when you would not present a risk,” the judge said.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Harbour of Sussex Police said: “This was a horrific ordeal for the victim in the centre of Brighton.
“She was able to send a message to a friend in order to get help, and the friend’s actions and swift arrest ensured that Smith has been brought to justice.
“Tackling violence against woman and girls (VAWG) is a priority for Sussex Police.
“This case demonstrates our determination to catch dangerous offenders, and we are pleased that Smith is now serving a significant custodial sentence.”
Smith will be on the sex offender register for life.
Source link
[Featured]
[Just In]
