Colchester: Man convicted of rape and sexual assault

A 46-year-old man has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault after a woman reported his crimes to police officers.

Daniel Oldfield, of no fixed abode, attacked his victim in her own home in April 2022.

He had been asleep downstairs, but woke up and entered the woman’s bedroom on the night of 2 April. Oldfield attacked her, injuring her hand and holding her by the neck.

The same evening he attacked the woman as she slept, raping and sexually assaulting her.

She visited hospital due to the injury to her hand and after speaking to medical staff, Oldfield was arrested on suspicion of the assault and interviewed by officers on 4 April.

Due to his behaviour and the reported assault, Oldfield was placed on our Threat To Life Register.

We use data to identify those highest risk perpetrators, focussing on those which pose a threat to life by using indicators that academic research has shown are known risk indicators for domestic abuse homicide.

The suspects on this register are required to engage with police to ensure they are not a risk to others or face consequences such as court orders restricting their behaviour, controls on what devices they can have, and further arrest for failing to comply with these measures.

At the same time Detective Constable Rebecca Welch, part of the Domestic Abuse Problem Solving Team, contacted the woman Oldfield attacked.

In November 2022, thanks to the support DC Welch provided, the woman disclosed the details of the rape and sexual assault and was confident to support a prosecution.

Oldfield was re-arrested on 23 November 2022 and charged with rape, sexual assault by penetration and causing actual bodily harm.

He was remanded in custody until 15 August 2024 when, following a two-week trial, a jury at Ipswich Crown Court found Oldfield guilty of rape and sexual assault by penetration by majority verdict 11-1. The charge of ABH will remain on file.

He remains remanded in custody until he is sentenced on Monday 21 October.

DC Welch said:

“The woman in this case did something incredibly brave by speaking to the police – her actions have ultimately secured these convictions.
“Oldfield showed throughout this case he had no remorse for his crimes or understanding of the impact he had had on this woman.
“He now awaits a lengthy prison sentence.”

Colchester DAPST Sergeant Sonia Mirrington-French added:

“I am incredibly proud of the hours of hard work put into this case by all the officers in our team.
“Their dedication means that the woman in this case felt supported in her journey to report this to us.
“Our work is often perpetrator-focussed and this dangerous man will face the justice he deserves, but it all contributes to our aim of supporting victims and breaking the cycles of abuse these offenders make.”

Synergy Essex provides support and guidance for survivors of sexual and sexual abuse across Essex.

The Essex Rape Crisis Partnership is formed of three organisations:

• CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) who cover mid and north Essex.
• SERICC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service) who cover South and West Essex.
• SOS Rape Crisis who cover Southend, Castle Point and Rochford.

Survivors can self-refer and receive emotional support, specialist sexual violence and abuse counselling and or specialist advocacy services, no matter when the sexual violence or abuse occurred. In addition to this, they also offer support to survivor’s loved ones.

For more information about how to get support, visit the Synergy Essex website.

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