Cross-dressing Plymouth sex monster jailed for 18 years for rapes
Robert Westmore has been jailed for 18 years at Plymouth Crown Court
A CROSS-DRESSING sex monster has been jailed for 18 years for raping four women in a series of “abhorrent” offences over almost 20 years.
Robert Westmore, aged 46, overpowered or forced victim after victim to submit to his own deviant desires.
But police said after the case that he thought he was “above the law”.
He raped all four women but manipulated them into silence – allowing him to go on with his trail of sexual abuse.
Pub chef Westmore used a belt to restrain the hand of one woman as he attacked her in his hall, a jury at Plymouth Crown Court decided in March.
Westmore, formerly of Courtlands Road, Woolwell, denied six charges of rape, two of attempted rape and two of indecent assault between 1996 and 2014.
He claimed all the women had colluded to tell lies against him – but refused to take the stand himself.
Westmore was too much of a coward to leave his cell for sentencing.
The defendant was convicted on every count.
Judge Ian Lawrie today jailed him for a total of 18 years at Exeter Crown Court.
He had earlier told the former tattooist he posed a danger to women.
One of his victims said in a statement: “Although it was 20 years ago, it was worth re-living it to keep other women safe and protect them.
“No woman should have to go through what we went through and if him being locked up protects others than it’s a good thing. Justice has finally been done for all the suffering he has caused.”
Judge Lawrie said: “The victims were often emotionally vulnerable individuals who were suborned by his promise to be a caring and devoted individual.
“His behaviour had the hallmark of physical and emotional abuse in which he exercised coercive and bullying control.”
“His fixation about dressing up as a woman and having sex while so dressed caused significant distress and humiliation.
“His interviews with the police showed an arrogant attitude and contempt.
“He continued to demonstrate a brutal and selfish approach to women.”
Westmore, who has already been on remand for more than year, arrogantly boasted to one of his latter victims that he could get away with rape.
He also shot himself in the stomach with an air rifle and told the police that a woman had done it.
That victim told the court he had made her feel “like she was going mad”.
Each of the four women said they were shocked when Westmore began wearing women’s underwear and some added they were forced to have sex while he was dressed in that way.
The offences took place in Somerset, Torbay and Plymouth between 1996 and 2014 and they relate to four female victims.
Det Sgt Chris Tapley
Detective Sergeant Chris Tapley, Torbay CID, said: “We are satisfied that justice has been done today for the victims of Robert Westmore, and that he has been accorded the punishment he deserves with the handing down of a substantial custodial sentence.
“It is fair to say that his treatment of his former partners was abhorrent. He subjected them to domestic violence and sexually motivated acts of a degrading nature.
“Westmore considered himself above the law, and relied on keeping his victims in fear. There is no question in my mind that the only place for him is prison.
“The victims in this case have shown real courage. It is their evidence that has brought Robert Westmore before the court to face the consequences of his actions.”
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