A rapist from Tewkesbury has had his prison sentence extended by 50% after his original punishment was deemed “unduly lenient.” Vernon Steele, 60, of Northway, was convicted of raping a vulnerable woman four times in June 2023.
Steele targeted a woman with significant learning difficulties whom he had befriended. He regularly visited her home under the pretense of helping with chores and keeping her company, misleading neighbors about his intentions.
During one visit, Steele showed the victim explicit videos of himself and pornography on his phone, which she found distressing and asked him to stop. Despite her clear discomfort and refusals, Steele raped her repeatedly—four times over ten days—in her own home.
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The victim was found distressed and crying in her flat by a neighbor, who promptly contacted the police. Steele was charged and found guilty of four counts of rape.
Originally sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court to eight years in prison and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, Steele’s sentence was later referred to the Court of Appeal. The court ruled that the initial sentence did not adequately reflect the severity of his crimes and increased it to 12 years.
Detective Constable Jon Furse expressed support for the decision, emphasizing the lasting impact Steele’s actions have had on the victim. He also praised the victim’s courage in reporting the crimes and encouraged others to come forward.
Robert Readfern from the Crown Prosecution Service stated that sentences in sexual violence cases must reflect the gravity of the offences. The CPS challenged the initial sentence because it failed to consider the repeated nature and seriousness of the attacks, leading to the Court of Appeal’s decision to enhance the sentence.
Gloucestershire Police confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service had requested the sentence review under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, resulting in the increased custodial term.