A 24-year-old man has been jailed for 18 years after tracking a woman's mobile phone and adding his own facial recognition to it during a campaign of rape and abuse. Luke Smith, formerly of Garstang, Lancashire, was found guilty of six counts of rape by a jury at Preston Crown Court.
Controlling behaviour and tracking
Smith told the woman when to sleep, monitored who she spoke to, and made her change her mobile phone password. He would also show up unannounced after tracking her phone to check her movements, according to Lancashire Police.
The sexual predator lay in wait for the woman after he was sent packing by bouncers from a party where she was among the guests. Lancashire Police said Smith raped her and continued to force himself on her despite her telling him to stop.
Arrest and charges
Police arrested Smith after the woman reported him. He denied raping her, telling officers: "Yeah, I have harassed her. I will admit that."
Lancashire Police said he was charged with six counts of rape, one of attempted rape, engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour, six counts of sexual assault, sending communication of an indecent or offensive nature and stalking involving serious alarm or distress.
Sentencing and victim impact
Smith pleaded not guilty, but he was found guilty after jurors "saw through his lies", according to police. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison and four years on extended licence at Preston Crown Court on September 25.
In a statement heard in court, the woman said what happened to her changed her life in ways she never could have imagined. She added: "The abuse did not simply hurt me at the time. It changed the person I was and left me having to rebuild parts of myself that I never should have had to lose. I have lost confidence in myself, in other people and in the world around me."
The woman said: "I have lost my sense of safety, and, for a long time, I lost the ability to feel that I could simply live my life without being afraid."
She told the court that what happened to her would never be the measure of who she is and she is not the person her ordeal tried to leave behind. The woman added: "I am the person who survived it, stood up, spoke out and is now taking back the life that belongs to me."
Her statement continued: "No means no, and I should never have to be frightened that saying no will result in someone becoming angry, aggressive or continuing regardless."
Police response and support
Det Cons Kirsten Bell from Lancashire Police said: "Smith is a controlling bully, who repeatedly abused and raped his victim. She gathered the courage to contact us, and without that support, Smith may not have been brought to justice."
"Despite the effect Smith’s crimes will have understandably had on her, she has been incredibly brave and shown an incredible strength throughout proceedings."
If something sexual happened to you without your consent, or you are not sure, you can talk to Rape Crisis England & Wales. Its support line is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call free on 0808 500 2222 or visit the Rape Crisis website to start a free online chat.
