September 2023

Man sentenced to life for rape in Torquay

A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison after he raped two women earlier this year.

Lewis Stewart appeared at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday 14 September where Judge Climie told him he would serve a minimum of 18 years.

Stewart, of No Fixed Abode, Torbay, was found guilty of three counts of rape at trial and pleaded guilty to possession of drugs and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The court heard during the trial that Stewart had been on a night out in Torquay Town Centre on 21 January when he targeted two vulnerable women – he was captured on CCTV following and watching them.

He got in a taxi with them back to an address where he subjected them to rape, boasting about his actions to them the following day.

On arrest officers seized Stewart’s phone where they found a photo of one of the victims in a vulnerable state. He was also in possession of drugs with evidence of dealing found on the phone.

Following a nine-day trial a jury unanimously found him guilty of three counts of rape.

He appeared back at court on Thursday where he was sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 18 years.