Rapist jailed after taking 'dignity' from women

Tony Heath was convicted of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault

A man has been jailed for nine years after raping and taking "every bit of dignity" from two women he met online.

Tony Heath, of Farr Street in Avonmouth in Bristol, invited the women - who were aged in their late teens and early 20s - back to his house after meeting them through Tinder and Snapchat.

His trial heard he sexually assaulted and raped the first victim before she was able to kick him off and escape. The second victim was raped after she agreed to watch a film with him.

Heath, 28, was sentenced on Wednesday after being convicted of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.

In a statement, one of the women said she has thought about the attack "non-stop".

She added: "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," she added.

'Multiple nightmares'

The second woman said she still has nightmares of the attack "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," she added.

In a joint statement, Det Cons Cecilia Lock and Alastair Lee from Avon and Somerset Police said both women showed "extraordinary courage" in reporting Heath, which helped the police bring charges against him.

They added: "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."