A man who raped one woman and assaulted another on the same night in Shoreham, has been jailed.
Jordan Murphy, 24, a warehouse worker from Shoreham, committed both offences in the early hours of March 8th, 2020.
At around 2.45am a woman reported being followed along Hammy Lane and into Middle Road.
She was pulled by Jordan into an alleyway and into some bushes adjacent to playing fields opposite Southview Close, where she was raped.
After the incident the victim told friends what had happened - they immediately drove down Middle Road and photographed a man, who the victim later identified as her attacker.
Police used the photograph in an appeal, which prompted several people to get in touch, naming the man locally as Jordan Murphy.
Another woman then came forward saying she had also been followed and grabbed earlier that same night nearby Old Shoreham Road, but had managed to escape by pushing him away.
Murphy was arrested by officers on March 10, 2020.
Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court, Murphy was sentenced to nine years in prison for rape, one year for the attempted sexual offence and six months for common assault, all to run concurrently.
He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
Murphy’s second victim read out a witness statement in court in which she explained the devastating impact the attack has had on her life, affecting relationships with friends and family and leaving her nervous and prone to panic attacks.
She added:
“I have a message for Jordan. Although this is the worst thing to have happened in my life, I don’t hold any hate, I don’t hold any grudge towards the defendant. I don’t want to believe he is a bad person.
"I want to believe he’s a person who made a mistake and took an opportunity that he should never have. I believe he failed himself, and I believe a real man or person would not succumb to a weakness like that.
“Since this incident it has slightly steered me into choosing a career where I can be supportive and help people. On a positive note, this incident has made me grateful to have life and to live a life filled with zero regrets.”
Detective Constables Hugh Charles & James Ponte of the Littlehampton Safeguarding Investigations Unit said:
“We began an investigation as soon as the first report was received and, thanks to the bravery of the victims, their friends’ immediate actions on the night of the incident and the positive response from the public, officers were able to quickly identify a suspect, make an arrest and secure a conviction.
“We always follow up such reports with a thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances and help seek justice for victims whenever possible.
“Many days and hours were spent completing extensive house to house enquiries, plus Detective Ponte’s tenacity in conducting local CCTV trawl and securing supportive evidence.”
"If you or anyone you know are victim of such offending, contact us in confidence on 101 and arrange to talk to experienced investigators.
"We can also arrange expert support and access to sources of further advice."
For further information on help available for victims of sexual offending see the Sussex Police website.
Funding Available For Tree Planting In Chichester District as National Tree Week Begins
West Sussex Firefighters And Emergency Services Carry Out Training Exercise In Chichester Harbour
Shoreham Lifeboat’s Festive Look Boosted By Family-Run Business
Final Touches Being Made To £2m Sussex Wastewater Site Upgrade
AllSaints Founder To Host Sustainable Fashion Show In Brighton To Raise Money For Homelessness In City
Chichester Community Warden Helping Fight Against Fraud This Christmas
Wealden Council Calls For Government Rethink On Winter Fuel Payment
Snowy Protest At Lewes County Hall Calls For Fossil Fuel Divestment
Local MP Tours Firefighters’ Centre In Littlehampton
Former Portslade Scout Leader Convicted Of 79 Child Sex Offences