A NEWTON Abbot man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for rape and other sexual offences committed in Plymouth.
Ford Dixon, 35, from Newton Abbot, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court for sentence on Friday, January 10 having been convicted after a trial in October 2024 of three counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration.
He has been deemed a danger to the public and as a result was also given an extended four-year licence period, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and two indefinite restraining orders. He will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Dixon committed the offences against two separate women he met online, who were not known to one another, in August and October 2020.
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In August 2020 a member of the public contacted police reporting that a woman had been attacked and locked out of her address.
Upon police arrival a disclosure by a woman was made to police that she had been raped and assaulted by Dixon, who was located nearby and arrested.
Dixon raped the woman and left her with physical injuries.
Then, in October 2020, officers were again contacted by a member of the public reporting the rape of his friend at her home address.
Police attended and removed the woman from the address. She disclosed that she had been raped and sexually assaulted by Dixon the previous evening and that he was still present in the address. Officers entered the address and arrested Dixon in bed.
In interview Dixon claimed that sex with both of the women was consensual.
Following a full and protracted investigation by detectives from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team, Dixon was charged in 2023.
Following his conviction after a seven-day trial, Dixon was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing.
Officer in charge of the investigation, DC Andrea Dominik, said: ‘Dixon took the opportunity to commit these serious sexual offences on two vulnerable women following meeting them on social media and dating websites.
‘He persisted to meet them at their home addresses, and once there, had complete disregard for their needs, feelings or consent, and his extreme sexual gratification was at the forefront his mind.
‘He demonstrated himself to be a sexual predator and has shown no remorse since his arrest.
‘He raped these women in their homes, and this has had a significant impact on their lives, their health and their relationships, and will continue to do so for the rest of their lives.
‘Both victims have shown immense bravery and commitment to the investigation and court process.
‘Their ability to give evidence during the trial is a testament to this. I hope the verdict and sentencing can provide some level of conclusion for them. Their voices have been heard, and the result of this case shows that victims will be believed, and justice will be done.
‘Devon and Cornwall Police is invested in reducing violence towards women and girls.
‘We recognise that the criminal justice system can sometimes be a difficult process for victims, but there are support measures in place to help them throughout the whole journey.
‘I hope this gives other people the courage to come forward.’