Sex burglar raped woman in early hours ordeal
Published 19 Jan 2012 18:30
A PREDATORY sex attacker who raped one young woman and sexually assaulted two others after breaking into their bedrooms in the early hours was tonight beginning an indefinite spell behind bars.
Baby faced Travis Gotting, of Songbird Close, Shinfield, showed no emotion when Judge Stephen John ordered him to spend at least four years in a young offenders institution before being considered for release, after he admitted one charge of rape, two of sexual assault and two burglaries.
Judge John, branding it an "alarming" attack, told 20-year-old Gotting: "You were unable to explain your motivation for this series of repeated sexual behaviour, your victims being vulnerable and unknown females. You were not deterred by the victims waking up and although you were intoxicated you showed sexual arousal. Your behaviour is manipulative and predatory."
Gotting broke into a house in the Redlands area of east Reading on July 30 last year, scaling a rooftop and climbing through a window before indecently touching a 20-year-old woman as she slept. She woke and began screaming but, undeterred, Gotting went upstairs and raped another 20-year-old while she slept beside her boyfriend.
Prosecutor Sandra Beck said: "She had a recollection of having sex and her reaction woke the boyfriend and he chased him away."
Half an hour later he broke into another house in a neighbouring road and stole cash, an iPod and a mobile phone. When confronted by a 21-year-old woman occupant he told her he had permission from the landlord to stay, but then groped her bottom. She told him to leave but he returned, knocked on the door and made an indecent suggestion before fleeing.
Rossano Scamardella told Reading Crown Court that Gotting had not committed any sexual offences in the past, despite a string of convictions for burglary and criminal damage.
Mr Scamardella said: "He's very young and his life has changed forever and to condemn him at age 20 for a sentence for public protection is excessive."
But passing the indefinite sentence, Judge John told Gotting: "The victims' personal statements show the serious personal harm done that night and that continues for two of your victims."
"This is the minimum period you must serve until you are considered for release and it may be much longer, unless you prove you are no longer a danger to the public."
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