Chelmsley Wood teenager jailed for rape and sexual assault

West Midlands Police has applauded the bravery of two women after their evidence helped convict an 18-year-old man of rape and sexual assault.

Thomas Hampson, from York Minster Drive, Chelmsley Wood, was jailed on Friday (31 August) for 12 years after raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in Chelmsley Wood last year.

Hampson was just 17 years old when he met a woman in a local pub in April last year. The 30-year-old vaguely knew Hampson from the local area and, believing him to be trustworthy, accepted a lift home in his car.

However Hampson did not own a vehicle and shortly after leaving the pub, he grabbed the woman and dragged her into nearby woodland. In this secluded location, Hampson attacked and raped her.

Within 24 hours, Hampson was arrested by detectives from West Midlands Police’s Public Protection Unit but he denied attacking the woman and was released under investigation while enquiries continued.

Seven months later Hampson met another woman in Chelmsley Wood town centre. Now 18, Hampson arranged to meet up with the 29-year-old and during an early evening in November he walked her to an area of agricultural land near the M6 motorway, where he sexually assaulted and attempted to rape her. She was left in such a state of shock that she fled onto the motorway network where she was found in distress by police officers.

The woman was unable to name her attacker, but proactive enquiries by detectives led them to identify Hampson as the suspect. After seeking to evade arrest, Hampson was captured within a few days. He maintained his innocence throughout police interviews, but evidence allowed officers to charge him with both offences.

Hampson stood trial and was found guilty on 19 July at Birmingham Crown Court. He has been sentenced to 12 years plus an extended licence period of five years because he is classed as a danger to women.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Westley Martin, from Solihull’s Sexual Offences Team, said: “Both of these women have been supported by specially trained officers throughout the investigation and they have shown tremendous courage in providing evidence against Hampson. I would like to thank them for their resolve in bringing this dangerous man to justice.

“This type of attack is thankfully very rare. The investigation into Hampson’s offending was a high priority for us and officers worked tirelessly to ensure that he was made accountable for his barbaric actions. Hopefully, his sentence will bring some small comfort to the two women in this case and allow for the wider public to be protected from him in future.

“This conviction should act as reassurance to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted that we take all reports seriously and allegations will be thoroughly investigated.”

Hampson will also remain on the Sex Offender Register for life.

For more information and guidance on how to report sexual assault or find support from our partner agencies please visit: west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/rape