Rapist fails in sentence cut appeal (From Bucks Free Press)
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Appeal failure for man who raped a girl in High Wycombe
10:26am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By Andy Carswell
Geoffrey Stoneham
A RAPIST who tried to have his sentence cut for naming his accomplice in the attack has failed in his appeal.
Geoffrey Stoneham escaped justice for nearly 30 years and was jailed for eight years in 2009 for the brutal rape of a 17-year-old girl in High Wycombe in 1980.
Lawyers acting for the 66-year-old, of Walnut Way, Swanley, told London's Criminal Appeal Court he should have his sentence reduced because he named a second man who raped the same girl.
But his appeal was yesterday dismissed by top judges, who said his decision to reveal the other rapist was not motivated by remorse and only came after he had already been sentenced.
Stoneham pleaded guilty to the offence in October 2009 - changing his mind on what was due to be the first day of a trial, having earlier denied the charge - but kept the identity of his accomplice, 63-year-old Norman Stanley, secret until January the following year.
The court heard that while giving a statement to police, Stoneham claimed he played a 'secondary' role in the crime and repeatedly referred to the incident as a 'so-called rape' - despite previously having declared his guilt.
In turn Stanley, of Great Billington, Bedfordshire, claimed he only became involved because he was put under duress by Stoneham.
However, the jury at his trial disbelieved his story and he was jailed for nine years after being convicted of rape at Aylesbury Crown Court in July 2010.
Stoneham's lawyers urged the Appeal Court judges to reduce his jail term, in light of the assistance he gave the prosecution in bringing Stanley to justice.
But, dismissing the appeal, Lord Justice Pitchford said the court could not - three years later - intervene and treat him as though he had given the information before his sentence.
The judge said even if he had been willing to help as soon as he was arrested, there would have been no reason to reduce his jail term.
He added: "He was clearly not motivated by remorse or by any desire to tell the truth but by a wish to put the blame on Stanley."
The two men raped their 17-year-old victim in Micklefield Road in April 1980, the court heard.
As she was returning from the cinema with her boyfriend, she passed Stoneham, who then grabbed her from behind and thrust a pointed article into her back - which she believed was a knife.
He dragged her up a railway embankment, where Stanley was waiting, and the pair took it in turns to rape her before leaving and telling her they would kill her if she moved before five minutes was up.
The terrified victim gathered up her clothes and ran home before reporting the incident to police.
Her attackers remained at large until a cold case review in 2008, during which DNA samples taken at the time were found to be a match for Stoneham.
Comments(18)
Stand up for England
says...
11:31am Wed 31 Oct 12
tigeran wrote:I'll gladly supply the rope !! ... hope he receives all he deserves ... vile scum!
Hang him. Why bother with spending money keeping him in a cell.
realist_highwycombe
says...
12:03pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Secondly, it just highlights the need for a national DNA database so people like this can no longer evade justice for so long.
We have so many crimes where people are not caught despite having a DNA profile at the scene, surely this needs to change?
It is simple in that if you were not there and didnt do it you have no case to answer.And if you were at a scene you would be interviewed like everyone else would.
And lastly, I hope every single day he spends in prison is utter hell!
Stalemate
says...
1:01pm Wed 31 Oct 12
The reality is somewhat different in that we spend extra taxpayer pence segregating this fellow from the general prison population. He is among like minded individuals and may end his term inside of the believe that he is a charming fellow and certainly not as mad and bad as Mental Mickey and Hatchet Harry. When he is released he is also no longer noteworthy and can operate anonymously with a serious prospect of re-offending.
My view is that this character should not be jailed but allowed free. Justice has been served in that he has been brought to the attention of the public and is now notorious.
Imagine yourself living in society as a convicted rapist; eyes always peeled for a retaliatory attack, coming to terms with your own status among a decent population. Many would take the view that a rapist just would not think in that way; but the truth is that every human does and must.
Those able to mend their ways and live according to the law would do so, but very many would be unable to cope and end things for themselves.
This process of self-determination is what is missing from out justice system.
Cressex Offender
says...
1:29pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Thamed
says...
1:37pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Stalemate, how can you even think this monster should be free? If he was could u forgive urself if he attacked ur wife, girlfriend, daughter or any female u know? At least his victim can sleep at night for now
Stalemate
says...
1:42pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Cressex Offender wrote:CO, that just won't be happening; but I just worked out that if you are an average UK taxpayer then 0.2 of a pence of your personal tax bill is spent giving him a TV in his bedroom, a steady of w@nk mags and a host of other modcons, if you pardon the pun.
Hopefully he will get repeatedly b*ggered in prison, every day until he dies.
Stalemate
says...
1:48pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Thamed wrote:Hi Thamed
O M G British justice actually being served for once amazeballs!!
Stalemate, how can you even think this monster should be free? If he was could u forgive urself if he attacked ur wife, girlfriend, daughter or any female u know? At least his victim can sleep at night for now
Don't be scared by him and his actions. It would be nigh on impossible for a notorious man to go out and rape again.
Your last sentence "at least his victim can sleep at night for now" says it all, what we have at present is not a solution, just a sticking plaster.
Thamed
says...
2:06pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Bill Taxpayer
says...
2:13pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Stalemate wrote:Good grief! Who left the gate open??!!
Thamed wrote: O M G British justice actually being served for once amazeballs!! Stalemate, how can you even think this monster should be free? If he was could u forgive urself if he attacked ur wife, girlfriend, daughter or any female u know? At least his victim can sleep at night for nowHi Thamed Don't be scared by him and his actions. It would be nigh on impossible for a notorious man to go out and rape again. Your last sentence "at least his victim can sleep at night for now" says it all, what we have at present is not a solution, just a sticking plaster.
You would seriously let him walk the streets? What planet are you on?
I'm glad he's locked up and hope that he only comes out feet first with a wooden overcoat.
I'd be all for stringing him up as well.
Edgar Brooks
says...
6:46pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Stalemate wrote:You really don't have a clue; try talking to a woman who lives day by day, never knowing if the man who abused her might turn up again (and, yes, I've done just that, leaving her home in an absolute rage at the shivering wreck she'd become.)
Thamed wrote: O M G British justice actually being served for once amazeballs!! Stalemate, how can you even think this monster should be free? If he was could u forgive urself if he attacked ur wife, girlfriend, daughter or any female u know? At least his victim can sleep at night for nowHi Thamed Don't be scared by him and his actions. It would be nigh on impossible for a notorious man to go out and rape again. Your last sentence "at least his victim can sleep at night for now" says it all, what we have at present is not a solution, just a sticking plaster.
The only way she could have some freedom from that fear was knowing that he was in a place where he couldn't get to her.
Your "solution" is typical of the attitude of so many sanctimonious "do-gooders" ( a misnomer, if ever there was one,) since you have no interest in the victim, and would leave her to go through an absolute nightmare, but you couldn't care less so long as you feel good.
Marmite XO
says...
7:30pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Stalemate wrote:I presume you failed every maths test you have ever sat.
Cressex Offender wrote:CO, that just won't be happening; but I just worked out that if you are an average UK taxpayer then 0.2 of a pence of your personal tax bill is spent giving him a TV in his bedroom, a steady of w@nk mags and a host of other modcons, if you pardon the pun.
Hopefully he will get repeatedly b*ggered in prison, every day until he dies.
demoness the second
says...
8:47pm Wed 31 Oct 12
After he has been surgically castrated of course... ;)))
I think the best punishment for these scum is castration... preferably with a blunt knife and no anaesthetic.
They should then be allowed to live to a ripe old age safe in the knowledge that they can never hurt anyone again.
Thamed
says...
7:29am Thu 1 Nov 12
tigeran
says...
9:31am Thu 1 Nov 12
demoness the second wrote:Absolutely! I still think my solution is the best though! A lot cheaper and sorts it out once and for all!
By all means let him out early....
After he has been surgically castrated of course... ;)))
I think the best punishment for these scum is castration... preferably with a blunt knife and no anaesthetic.
They should then be allowed to live to a ripe old age safe in the knowledge that they can never hurt anyone again.
Firm Bottom
says...
9:45am Thu 1 Nov 12
Yes, he's bad and sensible actions have been taken as a result. Can a rape victim ever be properly compensated or made to feel completely safe again? With a lot of help, perhaps. I hope so.
The death penalty is not a deterrent and is far too often wrongly used, It is unlikely that this man would have considered it since he referred to a 'so-called rape' in his opinion. Would he rape again; who knows for sure and would bet someone's life on it, and the lives of many others?
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=Es9XrKTTc
_4
tigeran
says...
10:28am Thu 1 Nov 12
Firm Bottom wrote:Hmmm good point but I still think my solution is the best. We dont need scum like this. Get rid in my opinion.
Understandable angry comments but mob rule, as suggested by so many, would certainly lead to far more innocent people being killed or injured than guilty. If only the guilty were killed far more innocent people would die as a result – the criminals would make sure their victims were never around to testify against them, or any witnesses. Violent death of many people would result if any some the above commentators got their way.
Yes, he's bad and sensible actions have been taken as a result. Can a rape victim ever be properly compensated or made to feel completely safe again? With a lot of help, perhaps. I hope so.
The death penalty is not a deterrent and is far too often wrongly used, It is unlikely that this man would have considered it since he referred to a 'so-called rape' in his opinion. Would he rape again; who knows for sure and would bet someone's life on it, and the lives of many others?
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=Es9XrKTTc
_4
MrsFBucks
says...
9:22pm Thu 1 Nov 12
Stalemate wrote:He is only notorious if everyone in the world hears about this story. If he was free, all he would have to do is move to another town and he can start all over again. He looks like any other normal pensioner, I would rather he stays locked up and away from all other poor innocent girls!!!
Thamed wrote:Hi Thamed
O M G British justice actually being served for once amazeballs!!
Stalemate, how can you even think this monster should be free? If he was could u forgive urself if he attacked ur wife, girlfriend, daughter or any female u know? At least his victim can sleep at night for now
Don't be scared by him and his actions. It would be nigh on impossible for a notorious man to go out and rape again.
Your last sentence "at least his victim can sleep at night for now" says it all, what we have at present is not a solution, just a sticking plaster.
tigeran says...
10:35am Wed 31 Oct 12