Devon: Rapist and stalker jailed after ‘web of lies’

A dangerous Devon man was taken off the streets and jailed after being found guilty of rape and stalking. Joshua Theophanides, 37, of Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court after being found guilty of rape and three counts of stalking in a trial.

Theophanides received an extended sentence of 11 years in prison, suspended for a further four years. He must also sign the sex offenders’ register for life and was given a 20-year sexual harm prevention order.

During the trial, the court was told that Theophanides raped a woman and inflicted severe psychological trauma on her. Theophanides also set up numerous fake social media accounts on various platforms to stalk and contact the victim and an acquaintance of hers and to collect information about their private lives.

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He then repeated this stalking pattern on another woman he later met through a dating app. This time, too, he collected private information about the victim for his own sexual pleasure.

In his interview, Theophanides denied the allegations and even suggested that they were part of a conspiracy by the victims against him. By pleading not guilty, he forced his victims to testify in court and relive their trauma through him.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Rachael Delaney said: “Theophanides is a master manipulator and has gotten away with his criminal behaviour based on a web of lies for far too long.”

“He used his manipulation to control his victims and even blamed them in interviews. I am so proud of her courage and bravery in coming forward and reporting these crimes to the police and I hope this outcome gives other victims of rape and stalking crimes the opportunity to speak out.

“These stalking offences were committed behind social media platforms and had a huge impact on the lives of the victims involved. The devastation it caused to the victims involved cannot be underestimated.”

Restraining orders have been issued to protect all three victims involved in the case.

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