Benjamin Thiele-Long’s prosecution of serial rape offender featured in The Observer

Benjamin Thiele-Long, instructed by East of England CPS, prosecutes serial rape case involving a 15-year-old defendant and three young victims.

Background

The Defendant, who was 15 at the time of the offences, 16 at the time of the appeal, and 17 at the time of sentence, committed each offence after having added the girls on Snapchat. Each of the girls had specific vulnerabilities, including their mental health and their young age, which the Crown said the defendant was not only aware of, but took advantage of.

During the course of a three-day appeal against conviction from the Youth Court, Basildon Crown Court heard the evidence of each of the girls, portraying a clear picture of escalation in seriousness over a period of months, with the second two rapes being committed while on bail for the prior two.

The Crown relied on the ABE evidence of all three victims, who also had the benefit of special measures by way of intermediaries and s.28 cross-examination in the Crown Court, as well as social media evidence and CCTV in relation to the third victim.

Sentence

Following the unsuccessful appeal, the Defendant was sentenced to 8 ½ years custody, and a two-year extended licence, based on the significant risk posed to the public at large. This followed a full half-day sentencing exercise including an extensive review of the complex matrix of sentencing guidelines and case law relating to sentencing youth for sexual offences.

Press Coverage

In an extensive article in The Observer, Benjamin’s closing speech and sentencing remarks are quoted, emphasising the importance of providing appropriate support to victims when giving evidence in the most difficult of circumstances. The article goes on to highlight how the MOJ and the CPS are approaching Youth RASSO offences and supporting victims as part of the VAWG strategy.

The article also highlights the need for specialist prosecutors and defence counsel in rape and sexual offence cases generally, and the ongoing conversation around Youth sentencing and venue in serious cases and the assessment of ‘grave crime’, especially following the recent judgement of Carr LJ in the Court of Appeal case of R v X,Y & Z [2026] EWCA Crim 845.

The Observer

Reporting restrictions apply in this case.

About the Barrister

Benjamin Thiele-Long was called to the bar in 2006. He has established himself as a tenacious and persuasive advocate, with a forensic eye to detail. Benjamin has in-depth experience of complex white-collar crime and drug importation offences, including defending one of the largest cannabis importations into the UK to date, as well as multiple high-profile and complex sexual offences involving vulnerable child and adult victims.

To instruct Benjamin, contact his clerks Steve McCarthy or Amie Harris on 020 7404 1881.