Rapist jailed for 28 years for attacking women

A serial rapist who police said targeted vulnerable women because he thought they would never be believed has been jailed for 28 years.

Jonathan Goldsmith, 52, was found guilty of seven counts of rape involving three women and another count of blackmail following a trial at Reading Crown Court last month.

Goldsmith, from Whitchurch Hill, Berkshire, raped one of his victims at knifepoint in a car in London in 2002 and subjected another woman he first met in Oxford to multiple rapes between 2005 and 2019.

He met his third victim on a dating site in 2014 and left her injured after he attacked and raped her.

Det Sgt Rachel Belsher, from Thames Valley Police, said she was "so grateful" for the women's "remarkable bravery and courage" in reporting Goldsmith.

"He targeted women who he knew to be vulnerable and whom he assumed would never be believed. He was wrong," she added.

"The complainants have had to persevere in a very long and very invasive investigation and then trial process. I would like to thank these incredible women for making sure that Jonathan Goldsmith cannot hurt any more women.

"If you are a victim of violence then please be reassured that we have specially trained officers who will listen and support you."

Four years of Goldsmith's sentence will be served on licence.