A Crawley man has been sentenced to a total of 12 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting two teenage girls in the town.
22-year old Ronald Motlhokodise, of Lansbury Road, Broadfield, Crawley, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday (30 July) having been convicted of both offences on 30 June after a six-day trial.
He had raped a 16-year old girl who he had met only days beforehand, after enticing her to his home on 20 August 2013. Police arrested and charged him with that offence.
In the early hours of 3 March this year, whilst on court bail awaiting trial for that offence, he met a 17-year old girl outside a hotel in Crawley High Street at which they were both staying, followed her back into her room and subjected her to a vicious sexual assault.
Hie was issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to last until further notice severely restricting his contact with women, and will be a registered sex offender for life.
Detective Constable Natalie Freeman said; "Motlhokodise is clearly a danger to young women he encounters. These were both casual acquaintances, in the second case he met the victim just minutes before he attacked her.
"Both had to give evidence at the trial, although we enabled some special measures to be put in place to help lessen that ordeal, including her evidence being given by video link, followed by court cross-examination from behind screens so that they did not have to see the defendant.
"Their evidence was compelling and clearly satisfied the jury that Motlhokodise carried out both attacks.
"This case shows that victims of rape and other serious sexual assualts will be supported through the investigation, and that justice can be achieved for them."
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Reported by Sussex Police 2 hours ago.