Rapist changes plea to guilty after hearing victim's impact statement

RAPIST CHANGES PLEA TO GUILTY AFTER HEARING VICTIM'S IMPACT STATEMENT

A man who initially denied any wrongdoing but was later moved to admit to a sexual assault was sentenced to a total of four years and four months in prison.

Tyrese Reid, aged 22 and living on Walsingham Road in Mitcham, London, faced a charge of raping a woman in Montpelier in April 2020.

He initially pleaded not guilty but appeared via video link in Bristol Crown Court and changed his plea to guilty.

The judge, Michael Cullum, remarked that Reid was somewhat out of control that night, not accepting a clear 'no' and persisting despite the victim's refusal.

Prosecutor James Haskell outlined how Reid approached the woman late at night, expressed sexual interest, suggested taking a shortcut down a lane, pushed her against a car, and made explicit comments.

When she tried to leave and refused his advances, Reid forcibly assaulted her until she reached a friend’s house and called the police.

Reid was detained two days after the incident and initially claimed the encounter was consensual.

The victim’s impact statement described hitting 'rock bottom' following the attack, and she now feels unsafe in Bristol, contemplating leaving the city.

Defense solicitor Peter Binder explained Reid’s change of plea, saying he instructed his legal team from custody in early April to do so because his conscience had overridden his initial denial.

He expressed that Reid hopes to reform himself and do what is right.