Didcot rapist who contacted funeral director in front of victim to arrange her funeral is jailed

Didcot rapist who contacted funeral director in front of victim to arrange her funeral is jailed Mike Loveridge, 18, 'caused significant harm to a number of victims' in Didcot, Thames Valley Police said A rapist who contacted a funeral director in front of one of his victims to arrange her funeral has been jailed. Mike Loveridge, 18, of Newbury Road, Didcot, was convicted of three counts of rape, as well as one count each of coercive and controlling behaviour and several other offences involving multiple victims. He was also found guilty of exposure, causing a female aged 13 or over to engage in sexual activity without consent and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. Loveridge was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday to eight years in prison, followed by a further four years on licence. A four-day trial at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court heard that Loveridge subjected one of his victims to violence and controlling behaviour between January and June this year. He isolated, threatened and intimidated her, and on one occasion, even contacted a funeral director in her presence to arrange her funeral. Between April and May this year, Loveridge committed further offences against other victims, including one count each of harassment, harassment by breaching a restraining order, sending grossly offensive, indecent or menacing communications, and intimidating a witness. The court imposed five restraining orders to protect his victims and made an indefinite animal disqualification order, preventing him from keeping horses or being involved in their care. Detective Constable Angelique Lihou, of Thames Valley Police, said: "Mike Loveridge’s offending was serious, persistent and caused significant harm to a number of victims. Thanks to their courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation, he has now been held fully accountable for his actions. "This outcome is the result of a thorough investigation and demonstrates our determination to pursue offenders and put them before the courts, regardless of their age. "The sentence imposed reflects the gravity of these offences and the risk Loveridge poses to others. I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of crime to come forward and report it. We will listen, investigate thoroughly and do everything we can to bring offenders to justice." Anyone affected by rape or sexual assault can find information about the support available to them here.