By Grâçia Ada Obi
A lorry driver has been jailed for 14 years after he took his condom off during sex without consent and told the victim he was HIV positive.
Laurence Rafter, 43, of Bittacy Hill, Barnet appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court, United Kingdom (UK) on Friday, February 28.
Rafter contacted the victim, 32, on a dating app in July 2021 posting as a man called ‘Jay Lincoln’.
They met at the woman’s home address in Islington, when Rafter raped the victim who requested he wear a condom.
As he left the address, he told her he was HIV positive, which was later revealed to be a lie.
Rafter was found to have set up a false address and bank statement, as well as using a pre-paid mobile in an attempt to avoid police detection.
He also claimed to live in a multi-million pound house, but in reality was living in a flat.
A jury found him guilty of rape in October, and he also pleaded guilty to harassing the victim.
In February 2022 he plead guilty to malicious communications and threats to disclose a private image towards two separate victims.
Rafter had also used a fake name and had met the woman online, and became threatening towards them after meeting them.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley said: ‘I would like to commend this survivor for the bravery she demonstrated in this case and the evidence she provided.”
