A FORMER soldier has been jailed for 11 years after being convicted of rape for the second time.

Ezra Robinson carried out the first rape in Moretonhampstead more than a decade ago and has now been jailed for committing the same offence with a woman who he met through a swingers website.

They had consensual sex after their first meeting but he went on to force himself on her during a later visit to her home in South Devon.

Robinson met her through the Fabswingers website which he was able to join and use despite his previous conviction for rape which resulted in him being on the sex offenders’ register for life.

A Judge at Exeter Crown Court praised the dignity of the victim of his latest attack while declaring Robinson to be a dangerous offender who will remain under supervision for five years when he is released.

Former Royal Engineer Robinson was a building site labourer and body builder and used his physical strength to overpower the victim, who summoned the courage to report him to the police even though he threatened to kill her if she did.

Robinson, aged 31, originally from Moretonhampstead but now of Lamb Park, Drewsteignton, denied rape but was found guilty by a jury at Exeter Crown Court in February.

He was jailed for 11 years with a five-year extended licence and made subject of an indefinite restraining order banning contact with the victim by Judge Stephen Climie.

He told him: “The victim’s evidence showed a great deal of dignity and her suffering was set out in her personal statement. There is considerable aggravation in this case [considering] your previous conviction for rape. I find that you are a dangerous offender.”

The jury at the trial reached their verdict despite the Judge deciding they should not be told any details of his previous rape conviction because it may colour their judgement and affect their verdict.

During a 10-day trial, Miss Kelly Scrivener, prosecuting, said Robinson met the woman after contacting her through the Fabswingers website. The date went ahead and they remained in contact, having consensual sex on other occasions.

She found him attractive at first and described him as being “the energy in the room” but on their final meeting he forced her to have sex. He told her he had a conviction for a sexual offence but tried to minimise it.

Robinson told the jury all sexual contact with the woman was consensual and denied ever forcing her to have sex with him or using or threatening violence. He said he had been in the army for nearly five years and had previously been married.

Mr William Parkhill, defending, said Robinson’s life had been blighted by PTSD arising from a troubled childhood which has also led to mental health issues which have affected his behaviour.

Crown Court Reporter