CHRISTOPHER TOOSE SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR RAPE IN NEWBURY TOWN CENTRE ALLEYWAY

A man identified as Christopher Tooze has been sentenced to a five-year prison term after being found guilty of raping a woman in an alleyway located in the heart of Newbury. The conviction was reached after a jury at Reading Crown Court deliberated for nearly six hours on Friday, July 16, before unanimously returning a guilty verdict.

The incident, which took place in a public area within Newbury, was witnessed by several residents living nearby. One of these witnesses, a resident who saw the assault unfold, shouted at Tooze, demanding, "What part of no don’t you understand?" as he forcibly engaged with his victim. The woman involved, whose identity has not been disclosed, was subjected to this assault while in a vulnerable state.

According to court proceedings, the accused, 36 years old and a former student of Kennet School in Thatcham, who is also known by the nickname "Ducky," had followed the woman after she had been drinking with friends in Thatcham town centre. The prosecution argued that Tooze’s actions were predatory and non-consensual.

During the trial, Tooze maintained that the sexual encounter was consensual. His defense attorney, Jonathan Code, pointed to CCTV footage presented in court, which showed the pair walking together, hand in hand, into an alleyway off The Broadway in Newbury, and out of the camera’s view. This footage was used to support the claim that the encounter might have been consensual.

However, witnesses Mark and Leanne Jones testified that they called emergency services (999) after witnessing Tooze forcing himself on the woman, who was screaming and pleading for him to stop. The woman recounted that she initially agreed to go into the alley and kiss Tooze out of anger towards her boyfriend. Nevertheless, she resisted when Tooze tore her leggings down and began to assault her.

In her statement to police, she described her experience vividly: "I said no. I deserved better than this. I was screaming... he wasn’t listening... I kicked and kicked and screamed." Despite her protests, Tooze continued his assault.

Tooze denied the charge of rape but chose not to give evidence in his own defense, opting to remain silent during the trial, which the prosecution highlighted as a significant point. Prosecutor Charles Ward-Jackson emphasized the strength of the case against Tooze, suggesting that his silence could be interpreted as an admission of guilt. He described the incident as a forceful rape, asserting that Tooze had taken advantage of the woman regardless of her willingness.

The defense, led by Mr. Code, attempted to cast doubt on the victim’s account, pointing out inconsistencies and suggesting that the woman had engaged in consensual sexual activity with Tooze, including foreplay, and that she may have later consented to intercourse. The defense also argued that Tooze’s actions involved an unconventional sex act, which the woman had initially appeared to enjoy.

Despite these arguments, the jury was not persuaded by the defense’s case. The court found Tooze guilty of the charge, and in addition to his five-year imprisonment, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. The judge’s decision underscores the severity with which the court viewed the assault and the importance of safeguarding victims from such violations in the community of Newbury.