Sawbridgeworth man jailed after numerous rape offences

A man from Sawbridgeworth was jailed for more than 10 years last week in connection with numerous rape offences.

Joseph Peplow, aged 26, of London Road, was convicted after raping, assaulting and threatening to kill his new partner during their short but abusive relationship.

During a 12-day trial at St Albans Crown Court, Peplow was convicted of three counts of rape, and one count of controlling and coercive behaviour, assault by beating and threats to kill during the month-long relationship. The incidents took place between 9 January and 9 February this year.

He was found not guilty of one count of rape and assault by beating.

After meeting online, Peplow picked the victim up in his car before driving to his house, which she had not agreed to. After consensually kissing, Peplow dragged the victim to his bedroom and raped her after she repeatedly said no. On another occasion, he raped her while she was half-asleep, unresponsive and unable to give consent.

The couple continued to meet as Peplow asserted his dominance and manipulated her. The jury heard how he demanded to see her daily, would complain about her clothes, alternate between intimidation and superficially kind behaviour, and would scream at and threaten her. He would also make her feel guilty and worried about him by threatening to harm himself.

His behaviour continued, and he would threaten to rape her, beat her up, kill her and burn her house down with her in it. On one occasion, he told her she was lucky he didn’t throw acid in her face.

At Luton Crown Court on Wednesday 27 November, Peplow was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison and will remain under license for a further 12 months. He was also handed a restraining order against the victim for life, and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

Detective Constable Abi Wilkins, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Domestic Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (DAISU), said: “Joseph Peplow’s abhorrent actions have had a long-lasting impact on the victim, who continues to try and rebuild her life following this harrowing experience.

“The start of this relationship should have been new and exciting, but instead Peplow acted in the most repugnant way and, at times, had his victim fearing for her life. His actions have caused her both physical and mental harm, and I would like to praise her for the bravery shown for both reporting the offences and for her co-operation during the trial.

“Peplow often said that he couldn’t control himself and used this to his advantage, threatening to do harm to her but also threatening to harm himself. He tried to squeeze any sense of autonomy out of her life by wanting to see her every day, demanding to know where she was going and who she was with, telling her to change her clothes if they were considered too revealing, and she wasn’t allowed to have male friends.

“Peplow has received a substantial prison sentence as he poses a dangerous threat to society, and I hope this result allows the victim to move on from this ordeal and to put this traumatising chain of events some way behind her.”

Detective Inspector Samantha Alcock, also of DAISU, added: “Becoming a victim of sexual assault is never your fault. If you’ve been a victim, no matter how long ago the offence occurred, please report it. We have specialist officers on hand to provide advice and support throughout an investigation. The constabulary also has a number of officers who are specially trained to provide support to members of the LGBT+ community.”

You can also report information online, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.

Anyone who has any concerns about domestic abuse can contact the Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor service on 0300 790 6772. In an emergency, always call 999. If you are afraid or unable to speak, call 999 from a mobile and press 55.