Lee Hampton

Lee Hampton, a 51-year-old man from Hollingbourne in Kent, was convicted at Swindon Crown Court of committing a series of sexual offences against a woman in her 30s between January 2017 and October 2020 in Swindon, Wiltshire.

The offences included seven counts of rape, four counts of assault by penetration, and two counts of administering a drug with intent. Hampton systematically drugged his victim by crushing sleeping tablets and concealing them inside cold and flu tablets, which she unknowingly consumed. Once she was asleep and incapacitated, he would rape her. Investigations also revealed that he attempted to spike her food with sleeping pills on additional occasions.

• Hampton shared videos and images of his offences with third parties, exacerbating the victim's trauma.
• The victim reported the crimes to the police after discovering what had occurred, leading to a thorough investigation.

In a personal statement read to the court, the victim described the profound psychological impact of Hampton's actions: 'The psychological damage cannot begin to be put into words, and I don’t know how to try and express the impact this has had on me. I worry for my future, that I will never be able to trust anyone again, that I will never enjoy a healthy relationship again, that I will never be me. I still have daily flashbacks and nightmares, both of what happened and the unknowns.'

Following a trial, Hampton was found guilty by a jury. On Thursday, 13 November 2024, he was sentenced to 24 years' imprisonment, with an additional six years on extended licence. The sentencing took place at Swindon Crown Court.

Investigating officer DC Kolasinski commended the victim's bravery, stating: 'There is no place in society for the horrific criminality that has taken place here. It represents some of the worst behaviour imaginable in humanity and has no place in this day and age. I would like to thank the victim for her unwavering bravery during this investigation and subsequent trial. Without this support, justice may not have been brought to the offender.' DC Kolasinski also praised the work of Complex Crime Investigator Gemma Sole, who supported the victim throughout the process despite later leaving the force.

The case was reported by the Swindon Advertiser, highlighting the diligent police work by Wiltshire Police that ensured Hampton's conviction and sentencing.