Rapist jailed for attacking girl walking to school

A stranger who raped a girl who was walking to school through woodland has been jailed for 12 years.

The teenager was threatened at knifepoint in Bordon, Hampshire, on 27 September 2024, Portsmouth Crown Court heard.

Oliver Smith, 21, of South Hurst, Whitehill, who admitted eight offences, made her wash with river water to remove DNA evidence, prosecutors said.

Judge James Newton-Price KC said Smith inflicted a "calculated and predatory" attack on a "young and vulnerable" victim.

The defendant, who identifies as transgender, was lying in wait in the Deadwater Valley nature area, the court heard.

They produced a box-cutter blade and told the girl: "Shut up, you're coming with me," prosecutors said.

She lost both shoes trying to run away, but Smith grabbed her, put the blade to her neck and threatened to stab her, it was heard.

During the 45-minute ordeal, the defendant filled a bottle with river water and ordered her to wash to remove traces of DNA, the court was told.

Smith was arrested after fleeing to Mallaig, Scotland, prosecutors added.

In a victim impact statement read by a barrister, the girl said: "I am now paranoid. I feel like someone is always behind me.

"I don't look at myself in the mirror. I hate anyone touching me. I like to be alone now."

Her parents' statement described having to run into her room due to "piercing screams" from her night terrors.

Judge Newton-Price said the girl had shown "extraordinary courage" and "should have expected to walk to school in safety".

Addressing Smith, he said: "You must have been waiting either for her or for someone very like her.

"You were prepared to terrify her by using a knife to compel her."

The judge imposed a further six-and-a-half year extended sentence, which adds restrictions after Smith is released.

The defendant pleaded guilty to rape, attempted rape, two offences of false imprisonment, one count of false imprisonment with intent, making threats with a knife and causing the girl to engage in a sexual act.

They also admitted breaching a previous Sexual Harm Prevention Order by failing to disclose a second mobile phone to the police.

The court heard the order was imposed in January 2024 along with a community order for offences of voyeurism and possessing sexual images.

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