GLOUCESTER MAN LAKER CARTER JAILED FOR COERCIVE CONTROL AND SEXUAL OFFENCES
Two women have shared their experiences of severe abuse they suffered before their attacker was sentenced to 16 years in prison.Laker Carter, aged 24 from Brockworth’s Stearman Walk, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday, March 26, after being unanimously convicted following a four-week trial.
Along with his prison term, Carter is now on the sex offenders register for life and has been issued an indefinite restraining order to prevent any contact with his victims and witnesses involved in the case.
The jury found Carter guilty of multiple charges, including penetrative sexual activity with a child, assault causing actual bodily harm, sexual assault by penetration, coercive and controlling behaviour in an intimate relationship, and witness intimidation regarding Kalanie Perkins.
He was also convicted of coercive or controlling conduct in an intimate relationship, threats of violence through harassment and intimidation concerning Rebecca Golton, and possession of Class A drugs.
Throughout the trial, the court heard how Carter manipulated and harmed two women he had built relationships with, subjecting them to appalling abuse.
Both women provided detailed accounts of their experiences.
In her victim impact statement, Perkins explained how her relationship with Carter, which began when she was only 15, turned her life upside down.
She expressed her love for him initially, but that love evolved into fear, making her too scared to seek help or protect her son.
Perkins recalled hiding her injuries and suppressing her tears, fearing Carter might kill her.
She described feeling worthless and unwanted, and marked June 8, 2019, as the turning point when she finally found the strength to leave and contacted the police.
Golton described how her relationship with Carter started positively but quickly turned violent and aggressive.
Although they were together for only five months, she suffered physical abuse, property destruction, and threats, which left her traumatized and distrustful of future relationships.
She also recounted an incident where Carter put his hands around her throat during an argument, which she believed was an act of anger.
Her account highlighted the profound impact of his violence on her sense of safety.
Detective Constable Faye Satchwell-Bennett, the lead investigator, praised the victims for their bravery, emphasizing that their testimonies, while difficult to give, were vital in bringing Carter to justice.
She expressed hope that such cases would encourage other victims of domestic and sexual abuse to come forward.
PC Freya Smith, an investigating officer, noted Carter’s continued abusive behaviour, including taunting victims, filming them, and in one instance physically striking a victim with a belt.
She described how Carter’s actions forced victims to relive their trauma during the trial.
Judge Peter Blair QC acknowledged the victims' courage and emphasized that the sentence was designed to mitigate future risk and protect others.
He condemned Carter’s selfish and dominating behaviour, criticizing his refusal to accept responsibility for his actions.
The judge commended the efforts of DC Satchwell-Bennett and PC Smith in their dedication to justice, and prosecuting barrister Sarah Regan highlighted the challenges in prosecuting such lengthy abuse cases, underlining the bravery of the victims.
Rachael Scott of the Crown Prosecution Service explained how initial reports of domestic abuse uncovered additional, more severe sexual offences during investigation, showcasing the importance of thorough police work.
She reaffirmed the CPS's commitment to ensuring justice for victims of abuse.
Carter also faced charges of escaping lawful custody and battery, although the jury did not reach a verdict on these counts.
It was also noted that Kalanie Perkins has waived her right to lifelong anonymity, choosing to go public with her identity as a victim under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.
