Devon rapist jailed for seven-and-a-half years

A rapist who changed his story multiple times in a bid to escape justice has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years

Jordan Hewitt, 33, of Thorverton, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Friday 25 July after previously being found guilty by a jury of rape.

During the trial, the court heard how in May 2022 the victim in the case went out with friends in Tiverton.

At the end of the night, she received a Facebook message from Hewitt offering her a place to stay.

The victim met Hewitt, and they went together to the defendant’s brother’s house as she didn’t want to wake her mum.

The victim went to sleep fully clothed and was awoken by Hewitt raping her. She immediately shoved Hewitt off and called her mum for a lift home, disclosing to her straight away what had happened.

Later that day the victim sent Hewitt a Facebook message asking ‘why did you do that to me?’ Hewitt completely dismissed the question and replied asking her if she got back okay and saying she could call him if she wanted. She then blocked him on Facebook.

Around three weeks later Hewitt bumped into one of the victim’s friends and thinking quickly, the friend secretly recorded Hewitt giving his initial account of the incident to her.

In the recording Hewitt admitted penetrating the victim and then stopping when she shoved him off.

During this account Hewitt seemingly tried excusing his actions saying, ‘she clearly met me for a bit of fun’. Hewitt was then captured saying that the victim will be forced to leave town and beaten up should the matter go to court.

In interview, Hewitt claimed that it was the victim that initiated sexual activity. Hewitt initially denied making any threats around assaulting the victim.

Part of secret recording containing the threat was then presented to him, causing the defendant to panic. He then changed his story to admitting to making the threat but not meaning it.

The remainder of the secret recording was then played to Hewitt, in which he gave his account of the incident. This again caused him to panic and again change his account, now saying that the victim didn’t tell him to stop, but there was ‘a bit of a weird moment where she looked like she backed out’.

On the case going to court Hewitt yet again changed his account saying in his defence statement that he was too drunk to have sex.

Then in cross examination revised his account again saying that he didn't have sex due to the awkward angle between him and the victim, who was facing away from him.

Officer in the case Detective Constable Andrew Stacey from Exeter CID said: “We welcome the sentence handed down by the court, which would not have been possible without the courage and continued support of the victim throughout the investigation.

“I would also like to thank all the witnesses who came forward and gave evidence, particularly one individual whose quick thinking to covertly record one of Hewitt’s accounts played a crucial role in exposing his ongoing deception.

“Hewitt is a manipulative man who showed a complete lack of regard for the individual he harmed. His persistent dishonesty and repeated changes to his story ultimately led to his downfall.

“I hope this outcome provides the victim with a sense of closure as she continues to move forward with her life.”

Support available

If you have been affected by this article there is support available.

You can visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system.

You can also call Victim Support on 0808 1689 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.

Advice and support can also be found at:

National Rape Crisis Helpline 0808 802 9999

Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) 0300 3034626

For more information please visit: www.dc.police.uk/Rape-SexualAssault