Brighton rapist jailed for 13 years

A Brighton man has been jailed for at least 13 years for raping two women.

Stephen Edwards, 49, formerly of Merevale in Hollingdean, was convicted by a jury at Hove Crown Court of raping Pauline Jenkins.

At Hove Crown Court on Friday (28 February) Edwards was told that he would serve 13 years in jail and may serve 7 years on licence.

Edwards denied raping Pauline Jenkins, a 46-year-old mother of three, who was found dead at her home in Rosebery Avenue, Woodingdean, on Saturday 5 February 2011.

But a jury found him guilty on Monday 23 December after a two-week trial.

The same jury cleared him of raping a 51-year-old woman in the summer of 2010 in Brighton.

Stephen Edwards

At an earlier trial at Lewes Crown Court Edwards was found guilty of two counts of raping a 46-year-old woman in Brighton in the mid-1990s.

After the case Detective Superintendent Nick May said: “Stephen Edwards committed a serious offence against a very vulnerable woman.

“He took advantage of Pauline’s vulnerabilities for his own sexual gratification and abused her trust in the worst way possible.

“I would like to pay tribute to the family of Pauline Jenkins, who have remained dignified throughout a long wait for the trial and who have sat through some very distressing evidence in court.

“I am also in full of admiration for the strength shown by all the women who came forward and gave evidence in the two trials.

“This investigation shows the determination of Sussex Police to prosecute serious sexual offences and support victims wherever the evidence is available.”