A man with previous sexual offence convictions has been handed an 18-year jail term for attacks on four women spanning approximately 20 years.

Shaun Smith, who lives on Bernwood Road in Headington, received his sentence at Oxford Crown Court on April 29.

The 47-year-old faced trial while contesting a rape accusation, a sexual assault allegation, and two charges of assault by penetration.

The rape is said to have taken place in 2000, while the sexual assault occurred in 2012.

The pair of assault by penetration offences are alleged to have happened in March 2017 and August 2022 respectively.

On Wednesday, April 1, a jury found Smith guilty of the first, second, and fourth charges via a majority decision.

The third charge resulted in a conviction through a unanimous verdict.

The court heard that the first offence occurred after an evening spent at a club in Oxford called Downtown Manhattan in 2000.

When the night concluded, Smith was apparently in a flat in Oxford alongside three other people.

The complainant was sleeping but woke to find that some of her clothing had been removed.

The woman stated that Smith was having sexual intercourse with her.

In her victim impact statement, the woman described how 26 years ago she was raped by Shaun and her life changed forever. She explained that the trauma has not disappeared and has shaped her life. She suffers with anxiety and fear, and she relives what happened to her, which impacts her ability to feel safe. She expressed hope that he cries himself to sleep at night in his cell.

The court heard that the second offence took place at a property in Sussex in 2012.

After drinking alcohol, Smith climbed into a bed where a couple was asleep. He then touched a woman in a sexual manner.

The woman’s partner woke up and showed anger towards Smith before leaving the bedroom.

The complainant provided her impact statement in court. She described how her whole world came crashing down. She knew Shaun needed to be stopped. She referred to him as a dangerous man and a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She said she believes Shaun is a predator.

The court heard that the third offence occurred on March 17, 2017, after Smith had been drinking with a group at The Six Bells in Headington.

Smith invited a woman to his house, and she agreed. She went to sleep and woke to discover Smith was in bed with her, touching her inappropriately.

In her impact statement, the complainant said she was left feeling disgusted by what he did. She expressed taking comfort in the fact that he was found guilty and would not do this to anyone again.

The fourth offence took place on August 6, 2022, at Smith’s home.

A woman fell asleep on his settee and woke to find Smith next to her, touching her in a sexual manner.

The complainant’s impact statement expressed hope that he realises the trauma he put her through.

The court heard that Smith was assessed as presenting a significant risk of harm to women aged over 17.

It was also mentioned that he continues to reject the offences for which he was found guilty.

Judge Ian Pringle KC delivered an extended sentence of 18 years along with a restraining order preventing any contact with all four women indefinitely.

The women, who were all present at the sentencing hearing, were in tears when the sentence length was revealed.