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

In a significant development in the fight against sexual crimes, Laurence Rafter, aged 43 and residing on Bittacy Hill in Barnet, has been handed a substantial prison sentence following a thorough investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Public Protection team. The case, which culminated in a court appearance at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 28 February, has brought to light serious allegations of sexual misconduct, deception, and premeditated criminal behavior.

Rafter was convicted on 18 October 2024 by a jury that unanimously found him guilty of multiple offences. The charges included a sexual assault where he was found to have removed a condom during intercourse without the consent of his partner. The court heard that this act was part of a broader pattern of deceit and manipulation. Last year, Rafter also pleaded guilty to harassment directed at the same victim, further illustrating his pattern of predatory behavior.

The incident in question took place on 15 July 2021. The victim, a 32-year-old woman from Islington, was contacted by Rafter through a dating app. Under the false identity of “Jay Lincoln,” he arranged to meet her at her home in Islington. During their encounter, Rafter proceeded to rape the woman, despite her explicit request that he wear a condom. The defendant repeatedly refused her request, insisting on unprotected sex. After the assault, Rafter left the address claiming he was HIV positive, a statement that was later proven to be false. The victim promptly reported the assault to the Metropolitan Police, who launched an immediate and comprehensive investigation.

Detectives from the Public Protection Serious Sexual Offences Team quickly identified Rafter as the suspect. They were able to link him to the crime through a distinctive tattoo on his arm, which had been recorded during a previous arrest. Police had also obtained photographs Rafter had sent to the victim, which matched the tattoo. Further inquiries revealed that Rafter had engaged in extensive premeditation, creating a false identity, setting up a fake address, and using a disposable prepaid mobile phone to evade detection. His false driving license bore a pseudonym, and he falsely claimed to reside in a luxurious multi-million-pound house in a wealthy part of London. In reality, Rafter was employed as an HGV driver and lived in a modest flat.

It was also revealed that Rafter had a history of predatory sexual behavior. In February 2022, he was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to malicious communications and threats to disclose private images involving two other women. In those cases, he used online aliases to meet women, then became abusive and threatening via text messages, demanding explicit images and making threats.

Following his court appearance on 28 February, Rafter was sentenced to serve 14 years in prison for his latest offences. The court ordered that he serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the need for public protection.