T’SHAI BROMFIELD AND RYAN KING SENTENCED IN WATFORD TO 12 YEARS FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
Two men have been sentenced this morning (Friday) following their convictions for the rape of a teenage girl in Watford.T’Shai Bromfield, aged 24 and formerly of Airco Close, Colindale, London, received a 12-year prison sentence after being found guilty of one count of rape.
Ryan King, aged 21 and formerly of Thorpe Crescent, Watford, was also sentenced to 12 years after being convicted of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration.
Both men, who were convicted at St Albans Crown Court on Wednesday, May 19, after a trial lasting a week, are set to serve an initial nine years in custody.
They will serve an additional three years on extended licence, which allows for the possibility of being recalled to prison at any time up to 2033.
The court heard that on the evening of Monday, May 22, 2017, Bromfield, who was 19 at the time and also known by the nickname Chopper, along with King, aged 17, was out socialising with a group of young people in Watford, including the victim.
The victim, who was 14 at the time, asked to change her outfit and entered Bromfield's silver Nissan Primera for privacy.
However, Bromfield and King then drove her to an unknown location within Watford.
There, the two men took turns raping her inside the vehicle.
Detective Constable Ayodeji Afolabi from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Halo team investigated the case.
He stated, “Today’s sentencing has been a long time coming for the victim, who has shown nothing but courage throughout the investigation and subsequent trial.
Bromfield and King’s choice to plead not guilty meant the victim had to endure the trauma of a trial and relive her ordeal in court.
Her bravery and determination in giving evidence, as well as statements from other witnesses, enabled us to convict her attackers and prevent them from harming others.” The court noted that Bromfield and King preyed on the victim when she was most vulnerable, exploiting her for their own purposes.
The victim has since received support from the Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service to help her cope and begin to heal.
The sentencing aims to help her find closure, and she has been wished well by the court.
Both Bromfield and King have been placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
The Hertfordshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) offers support through its ISVA service to anyone who has experienced sexual violence or abuse, recent or historic.
These services support adults, as well as young people aged 13 to 17, regardless of gender or transgender status, and aim to provide professional, sensitive assistance while connecting victims to additional support services they may need.
