Beaulieu Road Rapist Jailed for Seven Years
David Gordon Howse, 33, has been locked up for seven years after pleading guilty to raping a 24-year-old woman in Eastleigh. The attack happened between 11.30pm on Tuesday 8 January and the early hours of Wednesday 9 January 2019.
Horrifying Attack in Quiet Alleyway
The victim was walking along Beaulieu Road before cutting through an alleyway into a car park between Beaulieu Road and Selbourne Drive. Howse followed her into an alley in Whyteways and carried out the brutal assault.
Detectives arrested Howse in December 2019 after a thorough investigation and charged him in July 2020.
Justice Served – Howse to Sign Sex Offenders Register for Life
He has now been sentenced to seven years behind bars and must sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.
“This was a truly harrowing crime resulting in Howse attacking a vulnerable woman late at night, in a place where she should feel safe to walk home without fear of being sexually attacked,” said Detective Inspector Gareth Jones of Hampshire Constabulary’s Amberstone team.
“I would like to pay tribute to the victim for her courage throughout the investigation. I’d also thank the selfless woman who intervened to help after sensing something was wrong.”
“Our specialist Amberstone unit worked tirelessly on this complex case, following many leads until we identified Howse as the culprit. Hampshire Constabulary is dedicated to justice and making Eastleigh safer.”
“We hope this sentence brings some closure to the victim and reassures the community that justice has been done.”
