Wellingborough man convicted of raping young man

The attack took place in Croyland Park in Wellingborough

A 42-year-old man has been found guilty of raping a young man he met in the street and pretended to help.

Anthony Bassett's victim was asked to leave a pub in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire in July 2023.

Bassett led him to a nearby park where he punched the victim and orally raped him.

He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on 1 February.

The court was told that Bassett, from Midland Road, Wellingborough, offered to help the man when he was asked to leave the pub.

He led him into the grounds of the nearby Croyland Park, where he attacked him. The victim managed to escape via the brook in the park, and went to Wellingborough police station to report the assault.

Bassett was arrested in the town that night.

He denied rape and sexual assault but was found guilty on both counts at Northampton Crown Court earlier this month.

Bassett met his victim in Sheep Street after he had been asked to leave a pub

Speaking after the verdict, the investigating officer Det Con Victoria Thomas of SOLAR, Northamptonshire Police's dedicated rape investigation team, said: "I am so pleased that the jury has seen through Anthony Bassett's attempts to evade justice, and has convicted him of this horrendous attack.

"The victim survivor in this case has shown immense courage in coming forward to report what Bassett subjected him to.

"Bassett's behaviour that night was predatory and chilling, and I do not underestimate the impact of this assault on the victim survivor. I am so pleased he has seen justice done."