Thomas Mangar

On 11 May 2020, a woman in her late 20s met up with two friends in the evening, intending to go home. She later found herself unable to recall how she ended up in Hitherbroom Park in Hayes. The following day, around 2.45pm on 12 May 2020, she awoke in a daze on the grass to discover Thomas Mangar, 36, of Bourne Avenue, Hillingdon, raping her while she was unconscious and unable to consent.

The victim began screaming, which alerted a nearby male witness who observed her pushing and hitting her attacker. The witness confronted Mangar, who claimed he was helping the woman, believing she was having a heart attack. Mangar fled the scene, parting from the witness on Avondale Drive, Hillingdon. Four days later, on 16 May 2020, the same witness spotted Mangar near the park and alerted the police, leading to his arrest.

Investigations revealed crucial photographic evidence on Mangar's phone, including selfies of him with thumbs up and images of the unconscious and exposed victim. DNA evidence from a condom at the scene matched Mangar's profile, with the victim's DNA found on a discarded condom wrapper nearby. These elements were pivotal in the four-day trial at Isleworth Crown Court.

On 8 March 2021, Mangar was found guilty of rape and sexual assault. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 26 April 2021. Detective Constable Alan Wong, the investigating officer from the Metropolitan Police's West Area Sapphire Team, described the attack as 'audacious' on a vulnerable female in broad daylight. Wong praised the victim's courage and the witness's role in bringing Mangar to justice, stating: 'The victim in this case has shown tremendous strength and courage to engage with the police; her evidence and that of the male witness were vital in ensuring a dangerous individual has been brought to justice.'

This case, reported by UKNIP, highlights the importance of public vigilance and thorough police investigations in securing convictions for serious sexual offences.