CARE WORKER CONVICTED OF RAPING VULNERABLE WOMEN IN HIS CARE
Colin Stokes, aged 48, was convicted and sentenced for committing serious sexual offenses against three vulnerable women in his care in Gloucestershire.All victims, aged 32, 50, and 54, had learning disabilities and required round-the-clock support.
Stokes was employed to work night shifts in a supported accommodation facility, where he exploited his position to carry out the attacks.
He admitted to three counts of rape committed between January 1, 2012, and April 1, 2013, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison with an additional six years on license.
The court also ordered him to register as a sex offender for life.
The case revealed prior missed opportunities to investigate Stokes, including an unprosecuted allegation from 2007 where he was accused of sex offenses but was not prosecuted.
Gloucestershire Police failed to inform social services about the initial allegations due to miscommunication, which may have prevented earlier intervention.
In court, police described Stokes as a 'sexual predator' who had shown no remorse, and the court emphasized his deliberate targeting and abuse of vulnerable victims.
The case prompted a serious review of past safeguarding failures and improvements in information sharing between police and social care agencies.
