A man from West London has been found guilty of rape after deliberately targeting and plying a vulnerable woman with alcohol before his attack.
The Attack and Investigation
Andrew Collins, a 35-year-old resident of Beechwood Avenue in Greenford, carried out the assault in Slough on November 12 last year. The court heard how the incident was preceded by Collins following the woman through the town centre, with his movements captured on CCTV.
Footage showed him approaching the victim and convincing her to exchange contact details. The pair later arranged to meet that same evening, where Collins proceeded to commit the rape.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Thames Valley Police arrested the Ealing resident just one week after the attack. He was charged the following day. A six-day trial at Reading Crown Court concluded on Monday, November 17, with the jury finding Collins guilty of one count of vaginal rape of a female.
The court returned not guilty verdicts on one count of oral rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration. Collins now awaits his fate, with sentencing scheduled for January 16, 2026, at the same court.
Police Praise Victim's Bravery
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Cat Sykes, commended the victim for her immense courage throughout the judicial process. She stated: "The victim in this case has shown immense bravery throughout this investigation and we thank her for her continued support, patience and the faith she has placed in the Criminal Justice System."
DC Sykes emphasised the predatory nature of the crime, saying: "He identified a vulnerable individual and exploited those vulnerabilities to enable his offending." She also highlighted the conviction as a testament to the force's commitment to tackling violence against women and bringing sexual offenders to justice.
