January 2022

Swindon rapist jailed after abusing two young girls

A rapist who sexually abused and raped two young girls has been jailed for more than 20 years.

Joseph Smith, from Swindon, abused his position of trust and abused the girls for more than four years in Wolverhampton until his arrest in June 2019.

Smith, aged 37, was living in Wolverhampton when he began his abuse of the first girl by sexual touching her before raping her.

The abuse continued for several years until the girl found the courage to report what was happening.

Following investigations from West Midlands Police’s Public Protection Unit, it emerged that Smith had also abused a second girl by sexually assaulting her.

Smith denied the charges and forced both survivors to endure a two-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

A jury found him guilty of nine counts of sexual assault and nine counts of rape on November 24, 2021

Smith has been jailed for 24-years for his crimes and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.