RICARDO PRINCE BRUTAL RAPE AND ATTACK IN BROMLEY AT OLD BAILEY

In April 2002, a disturbing incident unfolded at the Old Bailey involving Ricardo Prince, a 29-year-old resident of Sudbury Crescent, Bromley. Prince was convicted of the heinous crime of raping a 14-year-old girl in her own home and was subsequently sentenced to eight years in prison. The case drew significant attention due to the severity of the offense and the violent aftermath that followed.

During the court proceedings, as the verdict was delivered, Prince displayed defiance and hostility. He muttered, "My Lord, I didn’t do nothing like it," moments before unexpectedly swinging his fist at Karen Woolfe, a dock officer present in the courtroom. The assault was sudden and aggressive, leading to a chaotic scene where Prince was forcibly dragged down the courtroom steps. As he was restrained, Miss Woolfe let out a blood-curdling scream that lasted approximately ten seconds, a sound that left many jurors visibly pale and shaken. Her colleagues from Securicor quickly intervened, rushing to restrain Prince and prevent further violence.

Prince’s appearance in court was marked by his attire—a green tartan blazer—yet his demeanor was anything but composed. The conviction stemmed from evidence that proved beyond doubt that he had entered the victim’s family home in Crystal Palace while she was asleep and committed the assault. The girl, who was a trusted family friend, had been left vulnerable, and Prince, exploiting this trust, pounced on her. The attack was so severe that he even offered to wash her underwear afterward, a disturbing detail that underscored his perverted intentions. The underwear was later collected as crucial evidence in the case.

Judge Graham Boal, presiding over the trial, emphasized the gravity of the crime. He stated that Prince’s actions constituted a serious and sordid breach of trust, highlighting the disturbing nature of the offense. The judge pointed out that Prince’s perverted lust for a girl under half his age had caused significant resentment within her family. As part of his sentence, Prince was ordered to remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, reflecting the court’s concern about his potential threat to society.

At the sentencing, Prince, who continued to deny the allegations, shouted that he was innocent as he was led away to the cells. His hostility did not end there; he lashed out at Miss Woolfe, the woman dock officer, punching her in the face during the chaos. While colleagues from Securicor confirmed that she had been assaulted, they declined to comment on her condition, respecting her privacy.

This case underscores the ongoing issues of trust, violence, and justice in the criminal justice system, especially concerning crimes involving minors and breaches of trust within families and communities.