On 30 November 2024, police responded to an allegation of a rape by the Hastings Rapist, Jason Wren, at a house on Milward Crescent, Hastings.
On the evening of the event, the victim answered the door in response to a knock, anticipating a delivery. Rather, it was an unidentified individual wearing a mask.
Jason Wren, 32, of Redmayne Drive in Hastings, assaulted her and issued threats against her if she made any noise.
Approximately 15 minutes later, Jason Wren absconded from the site and was recorded on CCTV exiting the vicinity.
The victim contacted emergency services, and specialised police were promptly dispatched to assist and investigate.
Systematic house-to-house enquiries, along with CCTV and witness investigations, swiftly identified one suspect, Wren.
Jason Wren was observed traversing the vicinity before the incident, and witnesses who encountered him remarked on his peculiar conduct.
After a media call to identify the individual captured on CCTV, Jason Wren voluntarily surrendered to Hastings Police Station on 7 December, when he was apprehended on suspicion of rape.
During his interrogation, he unequivocally refuted the charge, asserting that the interaction with the victim was consensual and had been prearranged the previous day when they encountered each other on the street.
Notwithstanding Jason Wren’s assertion, charges were sanctioned the subsequent day for rape, attempted rape, and knowingly or recklessly trespassing on a place with the intent to perpetrate a sexual crime.
He was placed in detention and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges during his court appearance on 6 January.
On 3 June, after a six-day trial at Hove Crown Court, the jury convicted Jason Wren of all charges, and he was remanded in custody for punishment.
He reappeared at Hove Crown Court on Friday, 12 September, where he was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Jason Wren has been mandated to serve an additional seven years under supervision.
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