In 2022, the Offender Database recorded that Samuel Belstone, then 29, of Copnor Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, was jailed for ten years for the rape of a 22-year-old woman. On Monday, 9 May 2022, Belstone appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court, where he was sentenced after being found guilty of two counts of rape following a stranger attack in the city centre.
The investigation established that in the early hours of Saturday, 9 October 2021, the victim was targeted by Belstone following a night out. She was raped in an unfamiliar outdoor area by a man who was a stranger to her. Hampshire Constabulary reported that the incident was disclosed to police at 8:30 am that same morning, triggering an immediate investigation by specialist officers. Detectives utilised CCTV enquiries and forensic analysis to identify and arrest Belstone.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that the victim, who was 23 at the time of sentencing, had been subjected to a “terrifying” ordeal in a public setting. Portsmouth Crown Court heard that the forensic evidence collected by Hampshire Constabulary was critical in linking Belstone to the crime scene. The judge noted that the predatory nature of targeting a lone woman in the city centre necessitated a substantial custodial sentence to protect the public.
The judge noted that Belstone was found guilty by a jury despite the charges being contested. For his actions in Portsmouth, Hampshire, the judge determined that a ten-year term was the appropriate reflection of the gravity of the two counts of rape. The prosecution reported that the swift investigative work and the use of forensic technology were instrumental in securing justice for the survivor.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Samuel Belstone was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Ten years in prison.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court following a trial and convictions.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Belstone is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Hampshire Constabulary and the prison estate. Due to the “stranger attack” nature of the rape in Portsmouth, Hampshire, his management is subject to the highest level of oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Belstone must comply with notification requirements regarding any future residence in Copnor Road, Portsmouth, or the wider Hampshire area for the rest of his life. Authorities state that his history of targeting a stranger in an urban environment necessitates intense scrutiny of his movements upon his eventual release. Any breach of his registration conditions or his licence terms will result in immediate arrest and a return to Portsmouth Crown Court.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.