Devon man jailed after Bristol rape

He met the victim on a dating app

A Devon man has been jailed for more than four years after he raped a teenager in Bristol.

Thomas Manson, 30, from Crediton, met the victim on a dating app when she was 19.

The incident happened in May 2022, and the victim reported it to the police - Manson was then arrested and later charged.

Despite denying the offence, a jury at Bristol Crown Court unanimously found him guilty.

In a victim personal statement, the victim, who has lifetime anonymity, said: “My A-levels suffered. I went from achieving A grades in my mocks to receiving Bs and Cs because of flashbacks and panic during exams.

“I have always dreamed of a career in corporate law, but this path requires top grades. Each time I apply for opportunities, I am forced to explain my ‘mitigating circumstances’.

“Every application reminds me of what happened, and that it continues to hold me back.”

She added: “I missed out on valuable workshops and placements at law firms because they clashed with court dates.

“While others were building their futures, I was reliving my trauma in a courtroom.”

She said his offending had made it “incredibly difficult” to form relationships and was having weekly therapy to cope with the psychological damage Manson caused.

DS Kate Hughes, of Operation Bluestone, our specialist rape and sexual offences team, praised her bravery in reporting what had happened.

She said: “I want to commend the victim for the immense bravery she has shown in coming forward to report this incident.

“We fully recognise how incredibly difficult it can be to take that first step and place your trust in the police, and I hope today’s outcome gives her some sense of justice and closure.

“I hope this sentence sends a clear message that we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible for such crimes before the courts, and that victims who come forward will be listened to, believed, and supported every step of the way.”