REX CASE: SOUTHAMPTON PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO ADDITIONAL FOUR YEARS FOR HISTORICAL OFFENCE
| Red Rose Database
Southampton Rapist
In a disturbing development, Rex Case, a 72-year-old former youth worker from Southampton, has been handed an additional four-year prison sentence after admitting to a historical indecent assault on a 16-year-old girl. This case adds to his already lengthy criminal record, which includes a 21-year sentence for 18 separate offences committed over nearly three decades against five young females while he was working as a foster carer.
Case’s latest conviction stems from an incident that took place sometime between February 1, 1996, and December 31, 1998, while he was employed at a Hampshire youth housing project. The project was designed to support young individuals aged 16 to 24 who were transitioning out of foster care or facing other difficulties. The victim, a 16-year-old girl, was staying at the facility when the assault occurred. According to court proceedings, the incident was brought to light after police investigations into past allegations and a subsequent review of Case’s history.
During the hearing at Winchester Crown Court, Case appeared via video link from Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight. He pleaded guilty to the charges, which involved him giving the girl cider and later entering her room using a master key to carry out the assault. Prosecutor Kerry Maylin explained that police had tracked down former residents of the project and questioned them about their experiences, which eventually led to the uncovering of this new offence.
In a victim impact statement, the young woman described how the trauma had profoundly affected her life. She struggled to form new relationships and faced significant emotional difficulties. Ms. Maylin noted that the victim had been so overwhelmed by the incident that she lost her home and her children, although she was now in the process of rebuilding her life.
Judge Robert Hill, presiding over the case, emphasized that Case had exploited a position of trust to target a vulnerable young person. He stated that the four-year sentence would commence immediately, meaning it would likely be served in full before Case’s potential release. The judge also remarked on the unusual circumstance of Case being allowed to remain seated during sentencing, citing the camera’s focus limitations.
Reflecting on Case’s criminal history, Judge Peter Henry described him as “devious, manipulative, cunning, defensive, aggressive and obsessive,” highlighting a pattern of systematic abuse. The judge expressed surprise that the earlier sexual abuse allegations from the late 1990s had not resulted in prosecution at the time, noting that police had missed opportunities to act sooner. The court was told that social services and law enforcement agencies failed to prevent Case from continuing his involvement with children, despite prior suspicions.
Back in February 2012, Case was convicted at Southampton Crown Court of 18 counts of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and rape, with some victims as young as five years old. Judge Peter Henry sentenced him to 21 years in prison, condemning his actions as abhorrent and emphasizing the breach of trust involved. The court heard how Case had carried out a campaign of abuse over 25 years, targeting five young girls, including a girl he raped when she was just four years old. The judge described the abuse as “cunning and depraved,” and noted that the girl, now 19, had suffered a traumatic start in life, having been fostered by Case from the age of three.
Throughout the trial, Case remained largely emotionless, sitting in the courtroom as the judge detailed his manipulative and systematic pattern of abuse. The court also expressed concern over the failure of social services and police to intervene earlier, allowing Case to continue his harmful activities. It was revealed that Hampshire authorities had missed several opportunities to prosecute him over the years, raising questions about oversight and safeguarding failures.
Both the victims and their families, along with members of Case’s own family—including his wife Carol, who was present in court in a wheelchair—witnessed the sentencing. Hampshire Constabulary admitted that they had overlooked multiple chances to bring Case to justice earlier, a failure that has now been acknowledged as a significant lapse in safeguarding.
As a result of his convictions, Case will remain on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life. He is not eligible for parole until at least halfway through his sentence, and the court has made it clear that he continues to pose a serious danger to female children and the wider community. The case has once again highlighted the importance of vigilance and the need for rigorous safeguarding measures to prevent such abuse from occurring in the future.
Case’s latest conviction stems from an incident that took place sometime between February 1, 1996, and December 31, 1998, while he was employed at a Hampshire youth housing project. The project was designed to support young individuals aged 16 to 24 who were transitioning out of foster care or facing other difficulties. The victim, a 16-year-old girl, was staying at the facility when the assault occurred. According to court proceedings, the incident was brought to light after police investigations into past allegations and a subsequent review of Case’s history.
During the hearing at Winchester Crown Court, Case appeared via video link from Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight. He pleaded guilty to the charges, which involved him giving the girl cider and later entering her room using a master key to carry out the assault. Prosecutor Kerry Maylin explained that police had tracked down former residents of the project and questioned them about their experiences, which eventually led to the uncovering of this new offence.
In a victim impact statement, the young woman described how the trauma had profoundly affected her life. She struggled to form new relationships and faced significant emotional difficulties. Ms. Maylin noted that the victim had been so overwhelmed by the incident that she lost her home and her children, although she was now in the process of rebuilding her life.
Judge Robert Hill, presiding over the case, emphasized that Case had exploited a position of trust to target a vulnerable young person. He stated that the four-year sentence would commence immediately, meaning it would likely be served in full before Case’s potential release. The judge also remarked on the unusual circumstance of Case being allowed to remain seated during sentencing, citing the camera’s focus limitations.
Reflecting on Case’s criminal history, Judge Peter Henry described him as “devious, manipulative, cunning, defensive, aggressive and obsessive,” highlighting a pattern of systematic abuse. The judge expressed surprise that the earlier sexual abuse allegations from the late 1990s had not resulted in prosecution at the time, noting that police had missed opportunities to act sooner. The court was told that social services and law enforcement agencies failed to prevent Case from continuing his involvement with children, despite prior suspicions.
Back in February 2012, Case was convicted at Southampton Crown Court of 18 counts of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and rape, with some victims as young as five years old. Judge Peter Henry sentenced him to 21 years in prison, condemning his actions as abhorrent and emphasizing the breach of trust involved. The court heard how Case had carried out a campaign of abuse over 25 years, targeting five young girls, including a girl he raped when she was just four years old. The judge described the abuse as “cunning and depraved,” and noted that the girl, now 19, had suffered a traumatic start in life, having been fostered by Case from the age of three.
Throughout the trial, Case remained largely emotionless, sitting in the courtroom as the judge detailed his manipulative and systematic pattern of abuse. The court also expressed concern over the failure of social services and police to intervene earlier, allowing Case to continue his harmful activities. It was revealed that Hampshire authorities had missed several opportunities to prosecute him over the years, raising questions about oversight and safeguarding failures.
Both the victims and their families, along with members of Case’s own family—including his wife Carol, who was present in court in a wheelchair—witnessed the sentencing. Hampshire Constabulary admitted that they had overlooked multiple chances to bring Case to justice earlier, a failure that has now been acknowledged as a significant lapse in safeguarding.
As a result of his convictions, Case will remain on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life. He is not eligible for parole until at least halfway through his sentence, and the court has made it clear that he continues to pose a serious danger to female children and the wider community. The case has once again highlighted the importance of vigilance and the need for rigorous safeguarding measures to prevent such abuse from occurring in the future.