Rapist is jailed for attacking woman and girl

A RAPIST who attacked a woman at a remote barn in Charfield has been jailed for 20 years.

Leon Austin, aged 31, raped the woman multiple times after plying her with alcohol.

After his arrest he was then charged with attacking a teenager in Gloucestershire in 2018.

Austin, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to five counts of rape – two relating to 2018 and three to 2022 – and one count of attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle with intent to commit rape in January.

He was jailed at Bristol Crown Court in March.

His Honour Judge Michael Cullum described Austin as a dangerous offender and a man who posed a significant risk to women.

He also praised the victims’ for their courage.

Officer in the case DC Carl Spicer said: “Austin is sexual predator who targeted younger vulnerable and alone females, providing them with drink or drugs. He then ignored their wishes when they did not consent to sex.

"Both women have shown incredible levels of bravery and courage to report what happened to them and they should feel proud that by doing so has meant a dangerous man is behind bars.

"While I hope this sentence brings them both some closure, it is important to recognise the impact of what they have been through is far-reaching and this hearing doesn’t magically erase what has happened."

The court heard that in August last year Austin and a woman in her 20s, went to a number of pubs before visiting the home of one of his friends.

The following morning Austin offered to drive the woman home but made sexual advances to her in the car, and when she said no he stopped at a remote barn and raped her.

The woman ran away and managed to flag down a passing motorist and called the police, while Austin drove from the scene.

In a statement read to the court, she said been "crippled by an overwhelming fear to do anything" on some days since the attack, and had struggled to sleep or return to work.

She said: "My friends struggle to understand what happened, they don’t want to be around me because I am not my usually happy self. I am often difficult to be around.

“My relationship and outlook on men in general has completely changed. I am so scared and intimidated of any man."

Austin's earlier victim, who was 17 when she was attacked at a caravan he was staying at in Berkeley, said her self-confidence had been "completely destroyed".

MP visits school

THORNBURY & Yate MP Luke Hall visited St Mary’s CE Primary School in Yate to hear pupils' views on improving the community and engaging young people in politics.

The MP heard children's views on climate change and green energy, recycling, animal welfare, road safety, support for families, speeding and road safety, and how to get involved in politics.

He also spoke about his own background as a local supermarket manager before becoming an MP and explained some of the machinery of voting and elections.

Mr Hall said: "As a local man educated in South Gloucestershire state schools, it was a pleasure to talk to pupils at St Mary’s about how democracy works and the importance of raising issues with their local politicians.

"As a community we are incredibly proud of our local schools and the work they are doing."

Toby to step down

THE leader of South Gloucestershire Council will step down in May at the local elections.

Toby Savage has led the council for five years but said he has had a “promotion” after the birth of his second child in February.

Cllr Savage has represented the Longwell Green ward for the Conservatives since 2015, but decided not to stand for re-election so he could dedicate more time to his young family.

He will lead the party in South Gloucestershire into the elections on May 4, after which a new leader will then be chosen.

Cllr Savage said: “I have recently been given a promotion to dad-of-two and will therefore be standing down from South Gloucestershire Council at the forthcoming elections on May 4.

"I have been council leader for just under five years, and it has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve the area in which I was born and brought up.

"These past years have been unprecedented and exhausting. We have led the local responses to a global pandemic, a war and a worldwide cost of living crisis.

"Throughout all of this I have been honoured to work with extraordinary people both inside and outside the council, who serve local people with dedication and distinction."

Labour group leader Pat Rooney has also announced she will retire after the elections.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service