Police have paid tribute to the courage of young witnesses in a rape case after their brave testimony helped force a conviction.
Phillip Lucas, 22, formerly of Central Avenue, was jailed for ten years after being found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault at Basildon Crown Court today (Friday) after statements in court from his female victims.
“Tribute must be paid to these young women for the courage they have shown in helping bring this predatory man to justice,” said Detective Inspector Jim Sandford of Southend CID.
“This man was known to his victims and he preyed on them while on nights out to take advantage of them in the worst possible way.
“By denying he was responsible for these offences he forced his victims to relive their ordeals by giving evidence in court.”
In the two week trial the court heard how Lucas had preyed on local victims aged 21 and 17 at the time outside of Southend nightclubs in April 2008 and August 2009.
Lucas was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with 10 to be spent in custody and the remaining five to be spent on licence.
Prosecuting lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service, Suzanne Stringer, said: "We are pleased this case has been brought to a successful conclusion. Clearly this man is a danger to the public and we are pleased he can no longer pose a threat to society, especially to young vulnerable women.
”He preyed upon and attacked these women on two separate occasions, after they had left nightclubs in Southend and therefore during the early hours of the morning, for his own sexual gratification.
"We want to thank the victim for coming forward and giving evidence in this case and hope that they can now look forward to and move on with their lives.
"The CPS takes cases of this nature very seriously and will always seek to prosecute such offences positively through the criminal justice system."