DAVID RUSTON FROM RILLINGTON SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR RAPE IN LEEDS COURT

In October 2017, a man identified as David Ruston, aged 37 and residing on Scarborough Road in Rillington, was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of raping a teenage girl. The incident took place in her own bedroom following a chance encounter in the town centre of Leeds. The court heard that Ruston’s actions caused significant physical injury and emotional trauma to the young victim, who was so distressed that she fled her home shoeless into the night, seeking safety and refuge.

Recorder Caroline Wigin, presiding over Leeds Crown Court, emphasized the profound impact the assault had on the girl’s life. The judge described her as a particularly vulnerable victim, noting that the trauma had left her unable to work and living in what was characterized as “considerable misery.” The court was told that Ruston’s guilty plea came shortly after the trial commenced, indicating his acknowledgment of the crime.

In addition to the prison sentence, Ruston was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order that prohibited him from ever contacting the victim again. These measures aimed to protect the girl from further harm and to prevent Ruston from reoffending.

The court proceedings revealed that the teenage girl, who had consumed a significant amount of alcohol during a night out, was refused service at a local bar due to her intoxication. She was described as barely able to walk and slurring her speech, leading her to make the sensible decision to head home. As she was making her way back, she was seen by Ruston, who initiated a conversation with her. CCTV footage showed Ruston supporting her as she appeared to stumble and fall against him.

Ruston then accompanied her to her residence. During this walk, he touched her knee, which she initially perceived as an act of reassurance. Upon arriving at her home, her mother believed Ruston was simply assisting her daughter as he entered the house with her. However, the situation took a darker turn when Ruston went into the girl’s bedroom and committed the rape. The girl, who had never engaged in sexual activity before, was heard crying out during the assault. Her mother, hearing her distress, rushed upstairs and confronted Ruston.

According to the court, the mother asked Ruston what he was doing, noting that her daughter was heavily intoxicated. Ruston responded that he was drunk too. The girl then fled into the night, and her mother contacted her sister, who lived nearby, to inform her that something terrible had happened. The sister’s intervention effectively rescued the girl from further harm.

Initially, Ruston denied the rape, but his stance changed after a police officer showed the jury a video recording of the girl describing her ordeal. While awaiting cross-examination, Ruston changed his plea to guilty. The judge took into account that he had spared the victim the trauma of testifying in court, which resulted in a slight reduction of his sentence. Prior to the incident, Ruston was characterized as a “habitual low-level offender,” adding context to his criminal history.

Overall, the case highlights the serious consequences of the crime and the court’s efforts to ensure justice for the vulnerable victim in Rillington and Leeds.