Bodmin man Bradley Fitzpatrick jailed for rapes after lying to police

He told detectives twice that he had never even met her that day. Then he was shown the forensic evidence, and his story changed.

A 22-year-old man from Bodmin has now been jailed for attacks on two young women in Cornwall, after a judge said he had lied “profusely and with ease”.

Nine years in prison and a 20-year order

Bradley Fitzpatrick, of Kinsman Estate in Bodmin, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on Thursday 24 September. He had been found guilty at trial of three charges of rape, three of sexual assault, two of sexual assault by penetration and one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

He also pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children and to possession of extreme pornography.

He was jailed for nine years, with a further three years on extended licence, and made subject to a 20-year sexual harm prevention order.

A walk in December 2021

The court heard that in December 2021 he met the first victim, then in her late teens, at a garage in Bodmin, and the two of them walked together. During that walk he sexually assaulted and raped her. She went home, and the attack was reported to police.

After his arrest he lied in two interviews, claiming he had not met her at all that day. Once he was presented with forensic evidence, his account shifted. In court he accepted there had been sexual contact, but said it was consensual.

A second victim in 2022

On two occasions in 2022, he met a second victim, who was aged between 16 and 18 at the time. Both times, sex that had begun consensually continued after she withdrew her consent. She made clear she had withdrawn it, and he went on to rape her. He also sexually assaulted her on a third occasion.

When detectives interviewed him about these offences, he told them the sexual contact had only ever been consensual.

The two victims do not know each other.

What was on his phone

His phone was seized after he was arrested in connection with a separate allegation. It was found to contain indecent images of children and bestiality images.

What the judge and police said

Judge James Adkin described the 22-year-old as “clearly dangerous” and said he had lied with ease.

Detective Constable Emily Rickard, the officer in the case at Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “I welcome the sentence given to Bradley Fitzpatrick at Truro Crown Court today.

“Fitzpatrick is a dangerous individual with no regard whatsoever for his victims, and who has consistently attempted to lie his way out of trouble.

“He has demonstrated himself to have no understanding of boundaries in his pursuit for sexual gratification.

“I would like to thank the two victims in this case, none of whom know each other. By reporting the ordeals they suffered at the hands of Fitzpatrick and remaining engaged throughout the legal process, they have ensured that a dangerous sexual predator has been taken off the streets.”

Support if you have been affected

If you have been affected by anything in this article, support is available. Victim Care Devon and Cornwall has information on support services, your rights and how the criminal justice system works.

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

The National Rape Crisis Helpline is on 0808 802 9999, and the Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) can be reached on 0300 3034626. More advice is on the Devon and Cornwall Police rape and sexual assault page.

📷Bradley Fitzpatrick. Credit: Devon and Cornwall Police