Pursuing perpetrators who commit violence against women: Southampton man sentenced to 14 years for rape and false imprisonment

‘If I could get away with killing you, I would’.

These are the chilling words of a Southampton man who has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for rape and false imprisonment as well as other violent offences.

Jack McRae, 29, of Golden Grove, Southampton appeared at Southampton Crown Court today (17 June).

Earlier this month, he was found guilty by a jury of the following eight counts:

• rape of a female aged 16 years or over
• false imprisonment
• four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm
• two counts of criminal damage to the value of £5,000 or less

McRae was sentenced to 14 years in prison, with a further eight years on license.  

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for the rest of his life. 

One count of assault involved a woman in her 20s and took place at an address in Itchen area on 25 November 2020. McRae punched her multiple times in the face, head and body, continuing to do so after she had been knocked unconscious.

The other seven offences were committed against another woman in her 20s between October and November 2020 in the Mansbridge area of Southampton.

The criminal damage incidents involved McRae stabbing a sofa and a cushion on one occasion and a phone on another, both with a knife he carried on him.

During the assaults he punched, kicked and bit her, and stabbed her with the knife – and on one occasion he said ‘If I could get away with killing you, I would’.

He raped her in November and following this incident, he also locked her in her flat for a week.

Both women reported McRae’s crimes to police on 28 November 2020 and have been supported by specialist officers since.

Detective Constable Amanda Linden-Jones is from the Operation Amberstone team, which investigates serious sexual offences. She was the lead officer in the case along with Police Staff Investigator Tiffany Burrows from Western Investigations.

DC Linden-Jones said: “Firstly we would like to commend the bravery of these women, who were subjected to harrowing levels of abuse at the hands of this monster.

“The woman who was raped told us that in that moment, she thought she was going to die.

“After all they had been through, to find the inner strength to speak to us and help us put him behind bars is inspirational.

“As a result of their courage, McRae is in a place where he can no longer inflict such horrific abuse on other women.

“We hope this sentence sends a strong message to the public that we will do all in our power to prevent violence against women and girls, support victims and relentlessly pursue offenders.

“If you have experienced anything similar to these women, then please get in touch with us. You will be treated with respect and taken seriously from the moment you make a report.

“If you do not feel comfortable speaking to us, there are other independent support agencies out there that can give you the help you need.”

If you have been affected by sexual abuse, you can visit our website for details on how to report this and where to seek support: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/support-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/