SOUTH HORSHAM MAN JAILED FOR 10 YEARS FOR RAPE IN CRAWLEY
Craig Line, a 22-year-old man from Horsham, was convicted of brutal sexual assault and sentenced to 10 years in prison.He befriended a vulnerable 27-year-old woman and later attacked her in Goffs Park, Crawley, on February 27 of the previous year.
The trial at Brighton Crown Court revealed that Line went to Asda in Peglar Way with the victim before heading to the park at around 1:30 am.
During the assault, he became angry when she accidentally knocked cocaine off her phone, which led him to punch her in the face.
He then forced her to the ground and raped her, after which she managed to escape.
He pursued her along Springfield Road and raped her again.
Craig Line was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of assault after a five-day trial and was ordered to be on the sex offenders register for life.
He was acquitted of a charge of attempted rape.
Detective constable John Hord commented on the case, highlighting the victim's courage and noting that Line showed no remorse.
The 10-year sentence underscores the seriousness with which such violent and sexually motivated crimes are treated.
