HARPLANDEN SEX OFFENDER OSCAR ABERNETHY SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR RAPE OF TEENAGERS

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Harpenden, Oscar Abernethy, a 24-year-old man from Bramble Close, has been handed a significant prison sentence of 15 years after being convicted of raping three teenage girls. The crimes span several years and reveal a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that has now culminated in a lengthy incarceration.

Abernethy-Cortez’s criminal history is extensive and troubling. When he was just 16 years old, he committed two separate rapes against a 14-year-old girl. These early offenses marked the beginning of a series of sexual crimes that would follow him into adulthood. In 2013, he was convicted of having sex with a 14-year-old girl in a car and of assault by penetration against a 15-year-old girl. As a result of this conviction, he was placed on the sex offender register and subjected to a three-year sex offender program.

Despite these measures, Abernethy-Cortez’s criminal conduct persisted. In 2016, while already on license and under the supervision of authorities, he committed two additional rapes. One involved a 17-year-old, and the other an 18-year-old, both of whom he assaulted in his own bedroom. These offenses occurred in the months leading up to his sentencing in July 2017, and they further underscored the dangerous nature of his predatory behavior.

His latest crimes came to light during a trial held at Luton Crown Court, where Judge Richard Foster presided. The court heard that Abernethy-Cortez had targeted young, naive women, exploiting their vulnerability. Prosecutor Abigail Husbands described how the defendant had lured these girls, some of whom had to jump out of windows to escape him, and how he had raped them on multiple occasions. The jury found him guilty of all four charges of rape, despite his denials. Abernethy-Cortez claimed that no sexual activity occurred with the 14-year-old girl and insisted that his encounter with the 17-year-old was consensual, but the court rejected these defenses.

Judge Foster, recognizing the pattern of behavior and the risk of further offending, described Abernethy-Cortez as a “serial sex offender” since the age of 16 and confirmed that he was a “dangerous sexual predator.” The court imposed an extended sentence, combining a 10-year custodial period with a five-year license period, totaling 15 years. The judge emphasized that Abernethy-Cortez would be required to serve at least two-thirds of his prison term before being eligible for parole.

It was also revealed that just a month before the 2016 offenses, Abernethy-Cortez had been released from prison and was under a sexual offences prevention order, highlighting the ongoing concerns about his potential for reoffending. The court noted that he had previously been convicted of taking a child in care and engaging in sexual activity with her, further illustrating his pattern of exploiting minors.

Throughout the proceedings, Abernethy-Cortez maintained his innocence, denying the charges and claiming that the sexual encounters with the victims were either non-existent or consensual. Nevertheless, the jury’s verdict was clear, and the court’s judgment reflected the severity of his crimes and the danger he poses to society.

As he was led away to begin serving his sentence, the court was informed that he would have to serve at least two-thirds of his 10-year jail term before he could be considered for release by the parole board. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Harpenden, raising awareness about the dangers of predatory behavior and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in protecting vulnerable individuals.