Two women are being praised for their courage after for coming forward the man who raped them was sentenced to nine years in prison.
The Bristol Crown Court heard how Tony Heath attacked both victims at his property after meeting them on dating app Tinder and social media app Snapchat.
The 28-year-old, from Avonmouth, was sentenced last Wednesday to two charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault.
He was convicted by a jury at the same court on September 26.
Heath invited his first victim back to his place after meeting her a few days prior on Tinder where he sexually assaulted and raped her.
She managed to escape after kicking him off her.
Heath contacted the second woman on Snapchat and asked her to come to his home to watch a movie.
She agreed, and he later raped her.
The court heard how Tony Heath from Avonmouth raped both victims at his property after meeting them on dating app Tinder and social media app Snapchat
The women, aged in their late teens and early 20s during the offending, were offered support throughout the investigation and trial.
The court heard statements from both women about how being attacked massively affected their mental health.
The first woman said: ‘To this day I have thought about it non-stop, although everyone said, just don’t think about it, but it is all I do. I go over what happened and felt like I was to blame, and I deserved it.
‘But I was put in that situation by him, I was powerless, and I froze. He took every bit of dignity from me.’
The second woman who had her statement read out on her behalf in court, said: ‘A couple of days after this happened, I started having nightmares. I had nightmares where I would be back there, in the room, and I couldn’t get him off.
‘Now, more than six months later, I am still having these nightmares multiple times a week.
‘I now struggle with all physical contact with men, including those closest to me, and I can’t let my dad or cousin hug me anymore.
‘While I am relieved that I went through the investigation and trial, it doesn’t change what he did to me, the impact it is still having on me, which will continue for the rest of my life.’
The two officers involved in the case DC Cecilia Lock and DC Alastair Lee, praised both women for having the strength to come forward.
They said: ‘Both of the women in this case have shown extraordinary courage in coming forward to report Heath. Without their bravery in supporting a police investigation, convictions like this would not be possible.
‘Heath’s actions have had a profound impact on his victims, who were vulnerable and younger than him, who I hope can rebuild their lives.
‘We hope this conviction sends out an important message – any acts of violence towards women and girls will never be tolerated and every victim deserves to be heard and supported.’
