Thomas Manson

Thomas Manson, a 30-year-old man from Crediton in Devon, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison after being unanimously found guilty of raping a teenage girl in Bristol. The incident occurred in May 2022, when Manson met the victim, aged 19 at the time, through a dating app. Despite denying the offence, he was convicted by a jury at Bristol Crown Court in October 2024.

The rape took place in Bristol, and the victim promptly reported the incident to Avon and Somerset Police. Manson was arrested and subsequently charged. The case was handled by Operation Bluestone, the specialist rape and sexual offences team within the force. Sentencing occurred on Friday, 31 October 2024, at Bristol Crown Court, where Judge [name not specified] imposed the custodial sentence.

In a poignant victim personal statement read out in court, the victim detailed the profound and lasting psychological impacts of the assault. She described how it severely affected her education, stating: "My A-levels suffered. I went from achieving A grades in my mocks to receiving Bs and Cs because of flashbacks and panic during exams." The victim, who aspires to a career in corporate law, explained the ongoing barriers: "I have always dreamed of a career in corporate law, but this path requires top grades. Each time I apply for opportunities, I am forced to explain my ‘mitigating circumstances’. Every application reminds me of what happened, and that it continues to hold me back."

She further highlighted missed opportunities due to court commitments: "I missed out on valuable workshops and placements at law firms because they clashed with court dates. While others were building their futures, I was reliving my trauma in a courtroom." The assault has made forming relationships incredibly difficult, leading her to attend weekly therapy sessions to cope with the damage caused by Manson's actions. The victim has been granted lifetime anonymity under UK law protecting sexual offence complainants.

DS Kate Hughes of Operation Bluestone commended the victim's bravery: "I want to commend the victim for the immense bravery she has shown in coming forward to report this incident." This case underscores Avon and Somerset Police's commitment to supporting victims of sexual offences and pursuing justice against perpetrators.