My rapist got community work while I have a life sentence

A woman has shared her disappointment and frustration about the decision not to review her rapist's sentence.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was attacked when she was 17 by fellow student Thomas Woodall on her first night at a Gloucestershire college. Her attacker, now 19, was found guilty of rape and sentenced to three years in custody suspended for two years and given 200 hours of unpaid work.

"I've been let down. He's got such a lenient sentence whilst I have a life sentence," she said.

But despite the outcome, the woman said sharing her story "brought more closure than when he was found guilty" - and she encouraged survivors of sexual violence to report to police.

Woodall was convicted of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault following a trial at Gloucester Crown Court in August. He was acquitted of one count of oral rape.

Judge Ian Lawrie ordered him to pay costs of £4,380 and said he needed to be sentenced as a child due to the age he was at the time of the offence.

Woodall's defence barrister told the court he was a relatively young 16-year-old at the time of the offences, with "limited previous relationships" with girls.

The victim said this excuse was "disgusting and insulting".

"It just sends the message that if you are inexperienced in life, then you can get away with a crime with just a slap on the wrist," she said.

"I was 17 at the time - 99% of us at that age were inexperienced, and 99% of us haven't raped someone and used that as an excuse," the woman added.

The sentence was then referred to the Attorney General's office, which rejected a request that it be referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

A spokesperson for the office said the case had been considered very carefully and added that their thoughts were with the victim.

"A referral can only be made if a sentence is not just lenient but unduly so, such that the sentencing judge made a gross error or imposed a sentence outside the range of sentences reasonably available in the circumstances of the offence.

"The threshold is a high one, and the test was not met in this case," they said.

The woman said she was upset by the decision - but not surprised - and added that speaking out about the attack had helped her more than anything.

"Giving up felt easier sometimes but I'm glad that I continued to go through with it and stay strong enough to keep it together in court. I'm proud of myself," she said.

She encouraged others who felt able to report sexual abuse to do so.

"Coming forward, you know the truth. You know what is right and what is wrong," she said.

Investigating officer for the case Det Con Elle Macleod said the woman should be "commended for her courage in coming forward to the police, and her commitment to the investigation".

"The strength she demonstrated in giving evidence in front of a jury is remarkable," she added.

Macleod said she did not underestimate how difficult reporting sexual assault could be, but she urged anyone who had suffered sexual violence to come forward.

Lorri Weaving, CEO of Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support, said every survivor's path to healing, justice or closure looks different.

"We believe every survivor has the right to decide what happens next, in their own time and in whatever way feels right for them," she said.

"Whether someone chooses to disclose, report, seek support or not share their experience at all, we recognise that this is a deeply personal decision," Weaving added.

She acknowledged that barriers might prevent victims from coming forward, including the fear of not being believed or concerns around confidentiality.

"When a survivor decides that reporting is right for them, they deserve to be met with compassion, understanding and respect, and to feel heard, supported and empowered throughout the process," she added.

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