Cancer woman's rapist convicted

A 21-year-old man has been found guilty of raping his former girlfriend who he knew was suffering from spine cancer.

Richard Day cut off Emma Cash's hair and eyebrows during the attack at Didcot, Oxfordshire, in May 2002.

Miss Cash, 20, died from her illness two weeks before Day's trial but her written evidence helped secure his conviction.

Day, of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, was found guilty of two charges of rape by a jury at Oxford Crown Court.

Rape is a horrific offence at any time but this case was particularly sickening given the victim's health and the offender's knowledge of her illness.

Detective Superintendent Jill Simpson

The court heard how Miss Cash had been babysitting at her best friend's house when a balaclava-clad man called, forced his way in and dragged her outside to the patio where she was raped.

Day always maintained that another man had raped her and even told the jury he bumped into the "real rapist" as he walked home.

After the unanimous verdicts were returned, Detective Superintendent Jill Simpson said: "Rape is a horrific offence at any time but this case was particularly sickening given the victim's health and the offender's knowledge of her illness.

"He subjected her to a terrifying ordeal and then added to the humiliation by cutting off her hair.

Family's anguish

"Day has shown no remorse and was never prepared to accept his guilt but today the jury rejected his lies.

"It is only a pity that he did not own up to the offence sooner and spare the victim and her family the anguish of the prosecution process."

Judge Mary Jane Mowat deferred sentencing Day and ordered psychiatric reports into his behaviour.

Day was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on 21 February.