82-Year-Old Serial Rapist Convicted of Sexual Assault, Returns to Jail
An 82-year-old man, Ronald Evans, recently made headlines as he returned to jail after being convicted of sexual assault while out on licence in his 80s. This comes after Evans already garnered attention as Britain’s longest-serving prisoner, spending 57 years behind bars for murder and a string of rapes.
Evans first entered prison in 1963 when he was sentenced to life for the rape and murder of a woman in Nottingham. After being released 11 years later, he found himself back behind bars in 1979 following a series of sex attacks in the Bristol area, earning him the infamous title of the Clifton Rapist.
Despite his age, Evans was released on licence once again in 2018, but his freedom was short-lived as he has now been found guilty of molesting a woman he met while volunteering at a community centre. After a trial at Harrow Crown Court, where he was convicted of one count of sexual assault, Evans awaits sentencing on Thursday. Two other counts of sexual assault against a different woman were dismissed.
Evans’ past crimes were not directly disclosed to the jury in his recent trial, although they were aware of his previous sex offenses. Notably, they were not informed about his rape and murder of a 21-year-old shop worker in Nottingham in 1963. This crime was confessed by Evans after police discovered some of the victim’s possessions in his home.
The Clifton Rapist’s reign of terror resurfaced just two years after his 1975 release from a life sentence on licence. He tormented the Clifton and Durdham Down areas of Bristol, targeting women between the ages of 18 and 33 in dark alleys. After local police launched a honeytrap operation in 1977, involving 11 female officers patrolling the streets at night, Evans was apprehended.
Following his final release date in November 2018, Evans took up voluntary work at a community centre in north London. However, during his recent trial, it was revealed that he had continued to harbor inappropriate sexual desires despite his advanced age. He faced accusations of sexual assault from two women but denied the allegations, claiming to have treated the alleged victims kindly.
Lauren Sales, the prosecutor, referred to Evans as a predator, stating, Mr. Evans is a leopard that cannot change its spots. Despite his age, he was and remains a sexual predator. The court learned that one of his victims, who was lonely and seeking companionship, was subjected to his advances after agreeing to go for a meal and later visiting his flat. Ms. Sales argued that Evans chose both victims due to their physical disabilities and mental health issues.
While Evans adjusted his tactics over the years, the prosecution maintained that his criminal desires were consistent. Ms. Sales remarked during the trial, Being a man in your 80s, you realized you had to change your tactics. You went to the community centre and seized your opportunity. A lot of people would think that a man in his 80s wouldn’t have sexual desires, but it’s clear you maintained yours over the years. You identified an opportunity. You are not a young man chasing women in their 30s any more, you are an elderly man chasing vulnerable women.
Evans is now awaiting his sentencing on Thursday but has already been returned to prison for breaching the terms of his licence. His case serves as a stark reminder that age does not diminish the potential danger posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses.
