HACKNEY RAPIST PATRICK SIMMS SENTENCED TO 9 MORE YEARS FOR 1987 TEENAGE RAPE

In a significant development in long-standing criminal cases, Patrick Simms, a man with a notorious history of sexual offenses in Hackney, has been sentenced to an additional nine years in prison for a brutal rape that occurred 36 years ago. This sentencing comes after a detailed legal process that uncovered new evidence and testimonies, shedding light on crimes committed decades earlier.

Patrick Simms, aged 58, was already serving three life sentences for multiple rapes committed in Hackney during the years 1993 and 1999. However, the recent case pertains to an incident from 1987, which had remained unreported for many years. It was only in 2019 that a woman, now an adult, came forward to police to disclose that she had been raped by Simms when she was just 15 years old. Her revelation prompted a renewed investigation into his past crimes.

The court proceedings took place at Wood Green Crown Court, where Simms was tried over a fortnight-long trial. On Thursday, July 20, he was convicted of the assault and subsequently sentenced to nine years in prison. The court also imposed an extended licence period of eight years and three months, ensuring that he remains under supervision for a significant time after his release.

The victim, who chose to speak publicly about her ordeal, explained that she had not initially reported the rape due to feelings of shame and fear of societal judgment. She recounted that she had met Simms at a Hackney leisure centre when he was 22 years old. He had offered her a lift, which she accepted, and then took her back to his residence on the Holly Street Estate in Hackney. There, he subjected her to a brutal and vicious assault that she would carry with her for the rest of her life.

In her statement, she expressed her ongoing pain and her motivation for coming forward. “As my daughter was reaching the age of 16 and the #MeToo campaign began, I felt more compelled to find out where this person was who had violated me at such a young age. I couldn’t bear the fact that this could happen to my daughter too,” she said. She emphasized her distrust of Simms, stating, “This person cannot be trusted to live amongst us in society, he was a danger to women from a young age and always will be in my opinion.”

She further described the emotional toll of her experience, saying, “He hurt me in the most cruel and vicious way and I will never be rid of the memory of him raping me. But by seeking justice for what he did I can allow myself closure… I can feel proud of the strength, courage and patience it has taken to get me through the three years of this whole legal process, and 35 years of holding on to a very painful memory. I can now try to let that go because I’ve been heard and justice has been served.”

This case highlights the persistent issues surrounding sexual violence and the importance of bringing long-ignored crimes to justice, even after many years have passed. Patrick Simms’s latest conviction underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and the judicial system to hold offenders accountable, regardless of how much time has elapsed since their crimes were committed.