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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Geoffrey Bennett

Rapist changes plea to guilty after hearing victim's impact statement

Conscience got the better of a man who, after denying wrongdoing, admitted rape. As a result Tryese Reid has been jailed for four years and four months.

Reid had put in a not guilty plea to raping a woman in Montpelier in April 2020. But the 22-year-old, of Walsingham Road in Mitcham, London, appeared via prison video link at Bristol Crown Court and held his hand up to the offence.

Judge Michael Cullum told him: "That evening you were somewhat out of control. You did not take no for an answer and you were told no in clear terms."

Read more: Taunton rapist jailed

James Haskell, prosecuting, said dad-of-two Reid approached the complainant late at night, said he liked her, and walked with her in the street. After suggesting they take a "short cut" he took her down a lane.

Mr Haskell said: "The defendant pushed her against the bonnet of a car. He said 'Come on, let me f*** you'."

The court heard the woman told him "no" and tried to leave. But Reid grabbed her and forced himself on her before she was able to get to a friend's house and police were called.

Mr Haskell said Reid was arrested two days later. He initially said there had been consensual sex.

The court heard an impact statement from the complainant in which she stated she hit "rock bottom" after the attack. She said she was looking to move from Bristol as she no longer feels comfortable in the city.

Peter Binder, defending, said: "This defendant, having been sent to trial, having pleaded not guilty, instructed those who instruct me in early April, from custody, to say that he wanted to change his plea, essentially because his conscience got the better of him."

Mr Binder said it was his client's goal to turn over a new leaf and "do the right thing".

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