Man jailed for 14 years for rape and non-recent child sex offences in Portsmouth and Havant

A man has been jailed for 14 years at Portsmouth Crown Court today (Friday 12 June), following a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary investigation into three rape and non-recent child sex-offences in Portsmouth and Havant.

In late 2023, weeks before he turned 18-years-old, Dameon Etherington, of Greetham Street in Portsmouth, raped a 14-year-old girl who he had met online.

Etherington raped her again on a second occasion in January 2024. Both incidents took place in Portsmouth.

In late 2025, we received a report that Etherington had restrained and raped a woman in her 20s at knifepoint in Havant.

Following an investigation by the Operation Amberstone team, Etherington, now 20-years-old, was subsequently arrested and charged.

After initially denying the offences, Etherington changed his plea on the first day of his trial and pled guilty to the following:

• Rape
• Two counts of rape of a female aged 13/14/15

He appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing today, and was jailed for 14 years, with an additional 4 years on extended licence.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and was handed a 15-year sexual harm prevention order.

Officer in the Case, Detective Sergeant Hollie Shelton of the Major Crime Support team said, “Today’s sentence is very welcome and a much-deserved punishment for the crimes Etherington has committed.

“Etherington specifically targeted and exploited vulnerable girls and women, subjecting them to violent rapes for his own gratification.

“His actions have had a profound and lasting impact on both victims; one who had not long turned 14 at the time of the incidents, and the other who is in her 20s, but has her own vulnerabilities that he took advantage of.

“Their brave Victim Impact Statements highlighted the damage that Etherington caused to many aspects of their lives and I hope they take solace in the fact that he is now aware of this and has not been able to continue living his life without consequences.

“No sentence will ever truly be able to bring justice to the victims of such an awful crime, but I hope knowing this dangerous man in now behind bars will give them the starting point to move forward in their lives.

“I would also like to thank both victims for their tremendous courage in reporting these hugely traumatic incidents to us. Their continued support throughout the investigation and court process has been invaluable in helping us secure this result today.”

Anyone who has any concerns, or anything they need to report to us regarding rape or sexual assault, can contact us on 101, via our website, or by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously. You will be supported and we will thoroughly investigate any report made to us.

We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police, but there is support services available that can help you if you are a victim of a sexual offence.

As a survivor of sexual abuse, you’re entitled to support, whether you report the crime or not.

You can access different types of support depending on how you’re feeling and what you decide to do next.

Please follow the below link for more information;

Support after rape and sexual assault | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary