In 2013, the Offender Database reported that Timothy Perkins, then 30, of Cornwallis Terrace, Hastings, East Sussex, was detained indefinitely for the rape of a woman he met through an internet dating site. On Friday, 27 September 2013, Perkins appeared at Lewes Crown Court, where he was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act.
The investigation established that Perkins was arrested in July 2011 after raping a 24-year-old woman at her home in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. The pair had originally met via an online dating platform. During the subsequent investigation by Sussex Police, a second victim came forward to report that she had been indecently assaulted by the defendant. Following a trial at Hove Crown Court in August 2013, Perkins was found guilty of rape and digital penetration.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Perkins showed a total disregard for the devastating effect his abuse had on his victims. Detective Constable Carol Shoesmith noted that the primary victim continued to live with the daily trauma of the assault. Sentencing was originally adjourned to allow for medical assessments, which concluded that Perkins was suffering from mental health issues that necessitated specialist treatment in a secure facility rather than a standard prison environment.
Judge Barnes emphasised that the indefinite nature of the hospital order was necessary to protect the public and ensure the defendant received appropriate psychiatric care. The prosecution reported that although Perkins was found not guilty of a further charge involving a girl under the age of 16, the evidence regarding the adult victims was “serious” and conclusive. For his crimes in East Sussex, the court found that Perkins posed a significant risk requiring long-term detention.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Timothy Perkins was handed:
- Custodial Status: Indefinite detention under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- Convictions: Found guilty of rape and digital penetration of a woman.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Perkins is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Sussex Police, the National Health Service (NHS), and the Home Office. Due to the nature of the predatory dating-site attack and the psychiatric findings, his status is subject to regular review by the Mental Health Tribunal and the Public Protection Unit.
As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, Perkins remains subject to mandatory notification requirements should he ever be deemed fit for discharge or community leave. Authorities state that his conviction serves as a reminder of the dangers of internet dating and the importance of victims coming forward. Any future change in his legal status or residence in Hastings, East Sussex, will be monitored by the Safeguarding Investigations Unit.
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