Rapist’s prison sentence increased

A man who raped and threatened to stab a woman he had been watching for six months has had his sentence increased following the Solicitor General’s intervention.

Brandon Smith, 25, from Denton, had his sentence increased by four and-a-half years after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The court heard that Smith did not know his victim, but he had been watching her for six months and identified her route to work.

On the morning of July 5, 2024, he grabbed the victim on her morning commute and threatened to stab her if she made a noise. He then dragged her behind some bushes and raped her.

After the assault, Smith threatened to kill the victim’s mother if she said anything about his attack.

Smith denied his guilt throughout the trial, initially claiming he had never met his victim.

Then, when forensic evidence made it clear that he had been in contact with the woman, he subsequently claimed she had consented.

Following a trial at Bolton Crown Court, he was found guilty on all five counts on January 8 this year.

The Solicitor General Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP said: “Brandon Smith’s attack and rape of a woman in broad daylight after he had been watching her for months was utterly appalling.

“This Government is committed to halving violence against women and girls.

“As Solicitor General, I am focussed on protecting women and girls and I welcome the court’s decision to increase Smith’s sentence and keeping a dangerous sexual predator off our streets.”

On April 30 this year at Bolton Crown Court, Smith was sentenced to 12 years and six months’ imprisonment with a license extension of three years, for rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault. A consequential restraining order was also imposed.

Now his sentence has been increased to 17 years with a license extension of three years, after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.