Life for rapist who questioned his victim

The multiple rapist who sparked an outcry by subjecting his victim to an oppressive cross-examination in person was yesterday given two life sentences at the Old Bailey.

Ralstan Edwards, who questioned Julia Mason for six days in court, was a danger to women and had shown no sign of remorse, Judge Ann Goddard said.

The sentences came the day after Michael Howard, the Home Secretary, told the Conservative Party conference: "No woman should ever be put through an ordeal like that."

Edwards, 42, who has previous convictions for rape and assaults on women, was convicted of twice raping Ms Mason, who waived her right to anonymity and is campaigning for the law to be changed. During the inquisition, he made her relive in detail the 16 hours in which he raped and humiliated her. He wore the same clothes in court as when he attacked her.

"It was like being raped all over again," she said afterwards. "At least when a barrister is asking the questions, he is doing it to get to the truth. When a rapist is asking the questions, he knows what he has done and is furthering the act.

"To male politicians, I would ask them to change the law with regard to rape swiftly. May this never happen again."

Ms Mason's boyfriend, Bill Powers, and a Victim Support representative, Maureen Tubby, said after the verdict: "From day one, Julia wanted the law changed. Hopefully that will now happen speedily."

The case did indeed draw a rapid political response. After the conviction in August, a Home Office spokesman said: "The Government is concerned to ensure that victims of these hideous crimes are adequately protected and we will be giving further consideration to the issues raised by this case."

The 1988 Criminal Justice Act introduced a ban on a defendant questioning a child witness in person in cases of sexual offences and cruelty. The Home Office is now reviewing options for extending the same principle to protect rape victims.

It emerged after his trial that Edwards, of Catford, south-east London, had a previous conviction for raping a woman after getting into her flat. She was forced to have intercourse with him, fearing her 16-month-old child would be harmed.

He had also served jail sentences for violent assaults on women, including his wife who he once beat over eight hours with sticks and flex. Medical reports showed no suggestion of mental illness.

Cases involving unrepresented defendants put judges under additional pressure when trying to balance the duty to ensure a fair trial with the need to ensure witnesses are not subjected to oppressive questioning. Judge Goddard gave Edwards a warning during the trial not to question his victim again and again about the same incident.

The judge told Edwards yesterday that he had "blighted" Ms Mason's life. "You have not shown the slightest sign of remorse, but I make it clear I do not add one day to your sentence because you contested the charges or defended yourself.

"I have had an opportunity of seeing and hearing you over a number of days. You see things only from your point of view. If you want to inflict harm on a woman you will, and you do not consider your victims at all."