Rapist Jailed 35 Years After Attack
A vile predator has finally been locked up for a shocking attack more than three decades ago. Patrick Simms, 58, was handed nine years behind bars for raping a 15-year-old girl in 1987, following a Met Police investigation that brought him to justice.
Victim’s Brave Comeback After Decades
The victim, now an adult, came forward in 2019, breaking decades of silence. She met Simms, then 22, at a Hackney leisure centre before he offered her a lift to his home on the Holly Street Estate. There, the horrific rape took place.
She kept quiet for years, fearing disbelief and ashamed for her family. But the trauma never left her. Determined to seek justice, she told police more than 30 years later.
Met Police Uncover Shocking Link
The Central East Sapphire Team swung into action immediately. Simms, already serving life for rapes in 1993 and 1999, was identified as the attacker. Officers painstakingly verified that his image had never been publicly linked to the crime—ensuring the victim’s ID was rock solid.
“We deeply appreciate the victim’s courage, which was crucial for this conviction,” said Detective Sergeant Matthew Cooksey. “We urge other victims to speak out, no matter how much time has passed.”
Judge Issues Stern Warning as Simms Sentenced
Despite Simms’ efforts to manipulate the jury, he was found guilty unanimously at Wood Green Crown Court after a 14-day trial. On Thursday 20 July, he was sentenced to nine years in prison plus eight years on extended license.
The judge labelled Simms an ongoing threat to women and regretfully acknowledged he lacked the power to hand down another life sentence. The victim spoke powerfully about the lasting impact and the vital need for closure.
Simms’ dark past and this latest conviction confirm one thing—he remains a serious danger to society.
