May 2009 Rapist caged for 17 years Stephen Richard Thompson, aged 49, of Sicey Avenue, Shiregreen, Sheffield, was jailed after being found guilty of 10 counts of rape between late 2003 and early 2008. The former taxi driver, who was working as a cabbie at the time of his offending but has now had his licence revoked, was also found guilty of two indecent assaults, two counts of committing gross indecency with a child and two counts of causing or inciting a female to engage in a sexual act. He denied the charges, forcing his South Yorkshire victim to endure the ordeal of giving evidence during his trial at Sheffield Crown Court. But she was spared the experience of having to face him in open court by being allowed to give her evidence via video link. His victim, who cannot be named to protect her identity, chose not to attend court during the trial, including the day the rapist was convicted and sent to prison. Detective Constable Lisa Handley, who investigated the offences on behalf of South Yorkshire Police’s child abuse unit, said the jail term should give hope to other rape victims. “This should send out a positive message to other rape victims that they can get justice a” the prison sentence was an excellent result,” she said. “The victim in this case chose not to attend court but she was pleased with the result and wants to try to put it behind her now and rebuild her life.”