WILLIAM WHITE CONVICTED OF RAPE IN HACKNEY AND EAST LONDON, NOW ON THE RUN

In a significant case that has garnered considerable attention in east London, William White, a 24-year-old man from Paragon Road, Hackney, was convicted of serious sexual offences, including rape and sexual assault by touching. The conviction followed a nine-day trial that culminated in a guilty verdict on Friday, 19 May, despite White’s absence from the court during sentencing.

White was formally sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, 1 August, to a term of five and a half years in prison. However, he failed to appear for the sentencing hearing, prompting immediate action from law enforcement authorities. Detectives are now actively seeking him, urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward. The police are particularly eager to locate White, who is now wanted on suspicion of failing to serve his sentence and for the serious crimes he was convicted of.

During the trial, the victim, who bravely attended court to give her testimony, recounted the distressing details of the assault. She described how she had trusted White, having known him through mutual friends, and had attended a social gathering at his residence in Hackney on 17 January 2020. The victim fell asleep during the visit and later awoke to find White raping her. The trauma of the incident led her to report the assault to the police on 19 January 2020. White was swiftly arrested two days later, and an extensive investigation was launched across London and the south-east of England.

Following the investigation, White was formally charged with the offence on 20 December 2021. The court heard that White attempted to mislead the court during the trial, but the jury, composed of 12 men and women, saw through his dishonesty and convicted him unanimously of rape. As part of his sentence, White will be placed on the Sex Offender Register for life, and upon his release, he will be managed by specialist officers to ensure public safety.

Detective Constable Jamie Merrill, the officer leading the investigation, expressed his thoughts on the case, stating, “White subjected the victim to a horrifying ordeal when she was asleep and vulnerable. Throughout the trial, he attempted to mislead the court about his actions, but the jury correctly identified his dishonesty and convicted him of rape. Significant resources are being used to apprehend White so he can face justice. I urge anyone with information about White’s whereabouts to contact police immediately.”

In addition to the primary charges, White was also accused of a second count of rape involving another victim. However, he was found not guilty of that particular offence. The authorities remain committed to bringing him to justice and ensuring he faces the consequences of his actions, especially given the severity of the crimes and the impact on the victims involved.