Thug who 'gas-lighted' and raped former partner is jailed for 12 years

Thug who ‘gas-lighted’ and raped former partner and left her fearing for her life is jailed for 12 years after judge branded him a danger to women

•  Ashley James Barton, 37, will have to tell police about any future relationships
•  Mr Barton has been put on the Sex Offender’s Register for life due to his actions
• Isleworth Crown Court heard he gave no remorse and called himself the victim
• He was jailed for 12 years and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order 

Ashley James Barton, 37 denied but was convicted of two counts of rape and one of assault by beating and jailed for 12 years

Ashley James Barton, 37,  ‘gas-lighted’ and raped a former partner so has been jailed for 12 years after a judge branded him a danger to women. 

The sadistic thug has an appalling record for attacking previous girlfriends and will have to notify the police if he enters into any intimate relationships in the future.

Mr Barton was convicted of one charge of assault by beating and two of rape against his latest victim, in her 30s, between December 2020 and February 2021.

Mr Barton punched her in the face for no reason, causing a black eye, and left her fearing for her life in a sex attack, Isleworth Crown Court heard.

Mr Barton showed no remorse for his actions and portrayed himself as the victim when he gave evidence.

He called his female victim a liar and said she was the abuser in the relationship.

Judge Hannah Duncan told Mr Barton: ‘You did not care how much you were hurting her.

‘You have always maintained an account that she [the victim] was lying and unstable.

‘You portray yourself as a ‘knight in shining armour’ but with the complainant you did your best to undermine her at every opportunity.

‘You gas-lighted and insulted her and her self-confidence is in tatters because of you. You are manipulative and lack insight both then and now.

‘You display an entrenched form of misogyny in your past and in your current behaviour. You show a pattern of behaviour which is deeply disturbing.

Mr Ashley Barton, 37, was jailed for 12 years and now has a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which means he must inform police of any intimate relationships he enters into indefinitely

‘You have shown no acceptance of responsibility which is of deep concern. There is a significant risk of you committing further offences against women…’

Detective Constable Chris Willey of the Central West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) unit based at Charing Cross police station said: ‘Barton is a dangerous serial offender who has previously been convicted on multiple occasions of violently assaulting women that he was in a relationship with.

‘His criminal behaviour has escalated over time with the physical assaults becoming more frequent and violent eventually leading to him committing the rapes against the victim in this case. He is a very violent man who directs his anger at women when they are at their most vulnerable.

The Central West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) unit at Charing Cross police station said: ‘His criminal behaviour has escalated over time with the physical assaults becoming more frequent and violent eventually leading to him committing the rapes against the victim in this case.’

‘It is completely right that he has been given a long custodial sentence during which he will not have the opportunity to victimise women again.

‘On release his ability to offend will be severely hampered due to the Sexual Harm Prevention Order that has also been imposed on him.

‘The bravery of the victim in this case has been outstanding. She has, unfortunately, had to relive her trauma twice in court and the courage it takes to do this cannot be understated. I hope that she can find some closure and make a fresh start now that proceedings have concluded. We will continue to support her in any way that we can.’

PC Sol Bhugaloo, who supported the victim throughout the investigation, said: ‘It is my sincere hope that the bravery shown by the victim in this case will encourage all victims of sexual violence of any kind to speak to us.

‘You will receive dedicated support from specially trained officers such as myself, you will be listened to and you will be heard.’

Mr Barton denied but was convicted of two counts of rape and one of assault by beating.

He was jailed for 12 years and made adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order [SHPO] – one of the conditions of this is that he has to inform police of any intimate relationships he enters into. The order is indefinite.

Mr Barton was also placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for life.

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