Man guilty after drugging and raping woman for years

A man has been found guilty of numerous offences after spiking a woman's flu pills with sleeping tablets and raped her while she slept for years.

Lee Hampton, 50, of Hollingbourne, Kent, was found guilty of seven counts of rape counts of rape, four counts of assault by penetration and two counts of administering a drug with intent in a trial at Swindon Crown Court.

The court heard Hampton committed the offences between January 2017 and October 2020 in Swindon on a woman in her 30s.

In a victim statement, the woman said: "I still have daily flashbacks and nightmares, both of what happened and the unknowns."

The court was told Hampton drugged the victim against her will on multiple occasions, and also attempted to spike her food with sleeping pills.

He then shared videos and images of his offending to other people.

"The psychological damage cannot begin to be put into words, and I don't know how to try and express the impact this has had on me," she said.

"I worry for my future, that I will never be able to trust anyone again, that I will never enjoy a healthy relationship again, that I will never be me."

Investigating officer Det Con Kolasinski said: "There is no place in society for the horrific criminality that has taken place here.

"It represents some of the worst behaviour imaginable in humanity and has no place in this day and age.

"The courage that she has demonstrated should be admired and inspire others to come forward should they fall victim in such an egregious circumstance."

A jury found Hampton guilty on 26 June and he is set to be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on 2 October.

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