Man jailed after raping woman he met on dating app

A woman who was raped after meeting a man on a dating app said it left her "not being able to trust people like I used to".

Leon Walker, 38, from Yeovil in Somerset, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison at Taunton Crown Court on 11 September after being found guilty by a jury of one count of rape in July. He was acquitted of two other counts.

In her victim personal statement, read out at the sentencing hearing, the woman said: "I had to rebuild my confidence in meeting new people".

PC Jake Whatley, the investigating officer from Avon and Somerset Police, said the conviction reflects "the courage and determination shown by the victim".

Walker met the victim through a dating app in 2023 and arranged to meet her at her home where he raped her following earlier consensual sex.

In her victim personal statement the woman said: "I had to rebuild my confidence in meeting new people and became far more sceptical and wary of people than I previously had been.

"For a while after I avoided dating and meeting new people altogether. When I was eventually able to meet new people, I found myself to be on higher alert and more cautious than I previously needed to be."

Whatley said: "This conviction reflects the courage and determination shown by the victim in reporting the offence and supporting the investigation throughout.

"It also serves as an important reminder that consent can be withdrawn at any time.

"Being in a consensual relationship, or consenting to one sexual act, does not mean a person has consented to every other sexual act.

"Everyone has the right to say no, and that decision must be respected," he added.

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