In a disturbing case that resurfaced from 2013, Richard Thomas, a 27-year-old British man, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison for raping a sleeping woman in her home. The case drew further attention when it was revealed that Thomas may have contracted HIV from his victim, a fact he reportedly learned during court proceedings, causing him to collapse in shock. He claimed he was unaware that the woman was HIV-positive, although he knew she was ill.
On the night of the assault, Thomas admitted to having consumed large amounts of alcohol, along with cocaine and ecstasy. He stated that he could not clearly remember the events but accepted the victim’s account, acknowledging her honesty. The victim had taken a sleeping tablet and was unconscious when Thomas let himself into her home uninvited, entered her bedroom, and raped her. She awoke to find him assaulting her, after which he silently left.
Prosecutor Harry Pepper described the victim’s reaction as frozen in fear, with no words exchanged. The court was told that the woman later revealed her HIV status, prompting immediate medical testing for Thomas. His defense lawyer, Virginia Hayton, confirmed that Thomas accepted responsibility for the act based on the woman’s claims, though he expressed confusion and remorse over what had happened. He had no prior convictions for sexual crimes but did have a history of substance abuse.
Judge Mark Brown emphasized the seriousness of the offense, listing Thomas on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Hayton further explained that Thomas had a long history of addiction, starting cannabis at age 9 and progressing to cocaine and ecstasy by age 13. He had received treatment during his teenage years but continued to struggle with substance abuse into adulthood.
The potential HIV diagnosis added another grim layer to the case. Thomas was awaiting test results at the time, though it was unclear if he had contracted the virus. Hayton offered little sympathy, stating plainly that the consequences were his own doing. “If he hadn’t committed the offense,” she said, “he wouldn’t be in this situation.”
Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in September 2013.
