Gosport Man Found Guilty of Rape After Brutal Alleyway Attack
Martin Butler, 43, has been found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl in a chilling attack off Gosport High Street. The assault took place between 5pm and 6pm on 19 November 2021 in a dark alleyway.
Threats Silenced Victim for Months
Butler, from Harbour Road, Gosport, threatened the terrified teenager, warning he would come after her again if she told anyone. Fear kept the victim silent until March this year, when she finally reported the horrific attack to police.
Police Crack Case After Public E-Fit Appeal
Following the complaint, investigators launched a thorough probe, including a public E-fit campaign that helped identify Butler as the attacker. He was arrested and charged with rape and assault by penetration. His trial began on 3 October at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Guilty Verdict Delivered, Sentencing Set for November
After a four-day trial, the jury returned a guilty verdict on both charges this Friday, 7 October. Butler was immediately remanded in custody and will return to court on 18 November for sentencing.
Survivor’s Evidence Pre-Recorded to Protect Her
In a rare move under Section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, the survivor’s evidence was pre-recorded on 23 September. This measure helps vulnerable victims avoid the trauma of attending court during the trial by allowing questioning to be done beforehand.
For more information on this protective process, visit here.
Speak Out: Help Is Available
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, you can report it confidentially to police by calling 101.
