A RAPIST who attacked a woman after a night out 12 years ago has been branded a danger after a judge heard he had gone on to commit further offences against other women.
Wayne Grantham had denied two charges of rape and one of assault by penetration – but was found guilty of all three charges following a trial at Coventry Crown Court.
And at Warwick Crown Court, where Judge Barry Berlin is now sitting, the 41-year-old, of Broadway, Leamington, was given an extended prison sentence after being assessed as posing a danger to women.
He was jailed for 12 years, of which he will have to serve at least eight years before the Parole Board will consider whether it is safe for him to be released.
If freed before serving the full 12-year term, he will be on licence for the rest of that time – and for a further four years, during which time he can be recalled to prison if his behaviour gives any cause for concern.
Prosecutor Tim Sapwell said in 2008 Grantham and his victim had both been at a supper get-together at a mutual friend’s home where he became argumentative and assaulted another guest.
The woman intervened to try to calm him down, after which they left together and went for a drink in Leamington.
They then went back to her home where he demanded sex, and when she said no, he overpowered her and she pleaded with him not to rape her.
She put up a struggle, but Grantham punched her before raping her.
His victim later told a friend what had happened, but did not go to the police until 2017 after hearing that other women had since been subjected to violence at Grantham’s hands.
Mr Sapwell said Grantham had a conviction for battery in 2010 after punching a woman to the head and face during an argument, pinning her to the floor and stealing her phone.
In 2015 he forced his way into an ex-partner’s home and assaulted her, and in 2017 he assaulted another woman, said Mr Sapwell, who pointed out during Grantham’s trial a fourth woman also gave evidence about having been assaulted by him.
Sarah Allen, defending, conceded: “It is inevitable it’s going to be a period of custody of some length.”
Arguing against an extended sentence, Miss Allen pointed out the last offence on Grantham’s record had been in 2017, and there had been ‘an expression of remorse.’
But jailing Grantham, Judge Berlin said: “She says she slept with a hammer by her bed in case you came back.
“I adjourned for an assessment of dangerousness, bearing in mind your violence towards women. The report paints a similar picture so far as violence is concerned to other women.
“You can switch from being charming to being terrifying in a moment. You pose a genuine significant risk of serious harm to women by the commission of further offences.”
