LAURENCE RAFTER SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN BARNET AND ISLINGTON

An extensive investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Police’s Public Protection team has culminated in a significant prison sentence for Laurence Rafter, a man found guilty of serious sexual offences. Rafter, aged 43 and residing on Bittacy Hill in Barnet, appeared before Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 28 February, where he was handed a 14-year prison term. The court’s decision followed compelling evidence that proved Rafter had deliberately removed a condom during sexual activity without the consent of his partner, an act that constitutes a serious breach of trust and legality.

Rafter’s conviction was secured at the same court on 18 October 2024, after a jury reached a unanimous verdict on all charges. Additionally, he had previously pleaded guilty last year to harassment directed at the same victim, further highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the incident that took place on 15 July 2021, involving a 32-year-old woman who was the victim in this case.

According to court records, the victim was contacted via a dating app by Rafter, who had assumed the false identity of “Jay Lincoln.” The defendant then arranged to meet her at her residence in Islington. During their encounter, Rafter proceeded to commit a sexual assault, despite the victim’s explicit request that a condom be used. Rafter, however, repeatedly insisted on not wearing one. The situation took a further sinister turn when, as he left the victim’s address, he falsely claimed to be HIV positive—a statement later proven to be a lie. The victim promptly reported the incident to the Metropolitan Police, who launched an immediate and thorough investigation to support her and bring the perpetrator to justice.

Detectives from the Public Protection Serious Sexual Offences Team played a crucial role in identifying Rafter. They recognized him through a distinctive tattoo on his arm, which had been recorded during a previous arrest and matched photographs he had sent to the victim. The investigation uncovered evidence of meticulous premeditation, including the creation of a false identity, the setup of a fake address and bank statements, and the use of a disposable ‘pre-paid’ mobile phone to evade detection by law enforcement.

Further inquiries revealed that Rafter’s false driving license bore a pseudonym, and he falsely claimed to reside in a luxurious multi-million-pound property in a wealthy part of London. In reality, he was employed as an HGV driver and lived in a modest flat. The court also highlighted Rafter’s history of predatory behavior towards women. In February 2022, he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to charges of malicious communications and threats to disclose private images involving two separate victims. In those cases, he used an online alias to meet women, then became abusive and threatening via text messages, demanding explicit images.

Following his appearance in court on 28 February, Rafter was formally sentenced to 14 years in prison. The court ordered that he serve two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole, marking a significant victory for justice and victim support in this troubling case.