A rapist has avoided prison after a court heard he was an ‘inexperienced’ teenager at the time, leaving his victim disappointed with the sentence.
Thomas Woodall, now 19, was handed a three-year prison sentence, suspended for three years, after raping a 17-year-old girl on her first night at Hartpury College, in Gloucestershire.
His defence barrister argued that he had been a relatively young 16-year-old in terms of life experience, with limited previous relationships with girls.
The court was also told Woodall had a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and did not present a risk of future harm.
His Honour Judge Ian Lawrie ruled that Woodall had to be sentenced as a child because of his age at the time of the offences in 2023, with youth sentencing guidelines focusing on rehabilitation.
The victim has since expressed her disappointment at the punishment, which means Woodall will not serve any time behind bars unless he breaches the terms of his suspended sentence.
She said: “The outcome in court wasn’t what I expected and I’m disappointed by the sentence, but the main thing is I want people to know that this behaviour shouldn’t be normalised.
“I want both females and males in college to know that it’s ok to come forward and be heard; no matter what the outcome is, you can come forward and seek support.
“That is what I always wanted people to say to me. No matter what anyone else may say, you know when someone does something to you what the truth is, you know if they are guilty or not and you are the one who can change your life for the better.”
The Crown Prosecution Service asked the Attorney General’s Office to refer Woodall’s sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
However, the request was rejected, meaning the sentence will not be reviewed under the scheme.
The court heard that the victim had enrolled at Hartpury College hoping for a fresh start, surrounded by people who shared her passion for agriculture and animals.
But she was sexually attacked on her first night on campus, an experience which she says has had a lasting impact on her life.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, she said: “The assault I endured on my very first night after moving into college was not just a single event; it became the night that changed my sense of safety, trust, and self-worth. These are all feelings that are still ongoing, just over three years later.
“Although the rape happened when I was 17, its effects have not stayed in the past. They continue to affect my mental health, my confidence, my relationships, my education, and even the ability to seek medical care for certain matters.
“What happened that night changed the course of my life and stripped away the things I loved and enjoyed – my freedom, intimacy, and trust. Worst of all, it changed who I used to be, someone I never will be again, and I continue to live with the consequences every day.”
Woodall was convicted of one count of vaginal rape and one count of sexual assault by digital penetration following a trial at Cirencester Courthouse in August. He was acquitted of a separate charge of oral rape.
At Gloucester Crown Court on 14 September, Woodall was sentenced to three years in custody, suspended for three years. He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £4,380 in costs.
The offences came to light after the victim confided in a friend, who subsequently told a parent. Hartpury College was informed and police launched an investigation, which resulted in Woodall being charged.
Detective Constable Elle Macleod, from Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, praised the victim for her courage throughout the investigation and trial.
She said: “The survivor in this case should be commended for her courage in coming forward to the police, and her commitment to the investigation. The strength she demonstrated in giving evidence in front of a jury is remarkable.
“I urge anyone who has suffered sexual violence to come forward. I do not underestimate how difficult it can be to report rape and sexual assault to the police, but we have a dedicated team of detectives within Gloucestershire Constabulary who tirelessly investigate these types of offences.
“We work alongside a specialist team of lawyers at the Crown Prosecution Service, and together we are committed to securing justice for victims and survivors of sexual abuse.”
