A man who carried out a prolonged and deeply disturbing campaign of abuse against a woman in Swindon has been jailed for 24 years, with a further six years to be served on licence.
Lee Hampton, 50, from Hollingbourne in Kent, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on 13 November after being found guilty of a string of serious sexual offences. These included seven counts of rape, four counts of assault by penetration, and two counts of administering a drug with intent.
The offences were carried out between 2017 and 2020, targeting a single victim, a woman in her 30s, whom Hampton repeatedly drugged before assaulting while she was unconscious.
Across several years, Hampton crushed sleeping tablets and hid them inside cold and flu medication and food, causing the victim to unknowingly consume them. He then raped her while she was incapacitated. He later shared images and videos of the attacks with others.
In a powerful Victim Personal Statement read in court, the woman said:
“The psychological damage cannot begin to be put into words… I worry for my future, that I will never be able to trust anyone again, that I will never enjoy a healthy relationship again, that I will never be me. I still have daily flashbacks and nightmares, both of what happened and the unknowns.”
After discovering what Hampton had been doing, the victim reported him to police. Officers launched a detailed and lengthy investigation, leading to charges and ultimately a conviction.
Detective Constable Kolasinski, who worked on the case, said:
“There is no place in society for the horrific criminality that has taken place here. It represents some of the worst behaviour imaginable. I would like to thank the victim for her unwavering bravery. Without her strength, justice may not have been achieved.”
DC Kolasinski also praised the work of Complex Crime Investigator Gemma Sole, who supported the victim throughout the investigation. Although she has since left the force, her contribution was described as “diligent, determined, and relentless”.
Police have urged anyone affected by sexual abuse or assault to seek help, whether through police channels, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, or specialist charities.
