AVONMOUTH man Tony Heath has been jailed for nine years for raping two women het met online.

On October 8, the 28-year-old, of Farr Street, Avonmouth, was sentenced after being found guilty of two charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault at Bristol Crown Court on September 26.

Heath raped both of his victims at his home after meeting them on Tinder and Snapchat, respectively, the court was told.

He met his first victim on Tinder, and, after a few days, invited her back to his home where he sexually assaulted her before committing rape, but she was eventually able to escape after kicking him off.

He contacted his second victim on Snapchat and after a few hours, he asked her to go to his home to watch a film. She agreed, and he later raped her.

The women, in their late teens and early 20s at the time of the offences, were supported throughout the investigation and trial, and were referred to support services for victims of sexual offences, police said.

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One of the women said in a statement which was read in court: “To this day I have thought about it non-stop, although everyone said, ‘just don’t think about it’, but it is all I do. I go over what happened and felt like I was to blame, and I deserved it.

“But I was put in that situation by him, I was powerless, and I froze. He took every bit of dignity from me.”

The second woman, who had her statement read out on her behalf in court, said: “A couple of days after this happened, I started having nightmares. I had nightmares where I would be back there, in the room, and I couldn’t get him off. Now, more than six months later, I am still having these nightmares multiple times a week.

“I now struggle with all physical contact with men, including those closest to me, and I can’t let my dad or cousin hug me anymore. While I am relieved that I went through the investigation and trial, it doesn’t change what he did to me, the impact it is still having on me, which will continue for the rest of my life.”

DC Cecilia Lock and DC Alastair Lee, officers in the case, said: “Both of the women in this case have shown extraordinary courage in coming forwards to report Heath. Without their bravery in supporting a police investigation, convictions like this would not be possible.

“Heath’s actions have had a profound impact on his victims, who were vulnerable and younger than him, who I hope can rebuild their lives.

“We hope this conviction sends out an important message – any acts of violence towards women and girls will never be tolerated and every victim deserves to be heard and supported.”

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