A Barnet man has been jailed for 14 years following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Public Protection team into his predatory sexual offences.
Laurence Rafter, 43, of Bittacy Hill, Barnet, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, February 28, after being convicted of rape. The court found that he had removed a condom during sex without consent, an offence known as stealthing.
He was unanimously found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on October 18, 2024, and had also pleaded guilty to harassment against the same victim.
Deception and Predatory Behavior
The court heard that Rafter had used a false identity, posing as “Jay Lincoln“ on a dating app, where he met his 32-year-old victim.
On July 15, 2021, he went to the woman’s home in Islington, where he repeatedly pressured her not to use protection. Despite her insistence, he secretly removed the condom without her consent and then falsely claimed to be HIV positive as he left.
The victim reported the assault to the police, who launched an immediate investigation and provided her with specialist support.
How Police Caught Rafter
Detectives from the Public Protection Serious Sexual Offences Team were able to identify Rafter through a distinctive tattoo on his arm, which matched police records from a previous arrest.
Further investigations revealed his extensive pre-planning:
- He created a fake alias and used false addresses.
- He set up a bank statement to match his false identity.
- He used a disposable pre-paid mobile phone to avoid police detection.
- He had a fake driving licence listing a multi-million-pound address, when in reality, he was an HGV driver living in a flat.
Rafter’s History of Sexual Offending
The court also heard that Rafter was a known predator with a history of targeting women online.
In February 2022, he was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to malicious communications and threats to disclose private images of two separate victims.
In those cases, he also:
- Used a fake identity online to lure women.
- Became abusive and threatening after meeting them.
- Demanded explicit images and threatened to share them.
Sentence and Police Statement
After his conviction, Rafter was sentenced to 14 years in prison and must serve two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley praised the victim’s bravery, stating:
“This was a calculated campaign to violate, threaten, and harm women. The robust sentence demonstrates the significant danger Rafter poses.”
“The investigation team worked tirelessly to identify and convict Rafter, ensuring that the victim was supported throughout the process.
Met Police’s Commitment to Protecting Women and Girls
The Metropolitan Police continues to prioritise cases involving violence against women and girls, with additional officers working in specialist Public Protection teams to identify dangerous offenders and prevent repeat crimes.
They are also using enhanced police powers to track high-risk individuals and ensure greater safety for victims across London.
How to Seek Help
Victims of rape, sexual assault, or coercive control are encouraged to report incidents and seek support.
Rape Crisis – 0808 500 2222
National Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline – 0808 802 9999
Survivors UK – 0203 598 3898 | [email protected]
Samaritans – 116 123 | [email protected]
In an emergency, always call 999.
The case serves as a reminder of the dangers of online predators and highlights the importance of police efforts in bringing offenders to justice.
