Epsom man sentenced for Rape

A man who claimed to have dissociative identity disorder to manipulate and rape a young woman has been sentenced to 8 years in prison at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday 27 February.

Joseph Head, 25, of Chase Road, Epsom, and born on 30/11/1998, was found guilty of 3 counts of rape, and one count of sexual assault by penetration after a 3-week trial. He will also be on the sex offenders register for life.

The investigation began after the survivor came forward and told officers that over a period of three months, the offences took place in Epsom from 2017 to 2018, Head had gone to extreme lengths to manipulate her into believing that he had multiple personalities and that if she refused to have sex with him, either him or her would come to serious physical harm.

Head told her that ‘J’, one of his personalities, was very violent and that if she did not do exactly what he wanted, ‘J’ would appear. This understandably caused the survivor a huge amount of fear and intimidation.

On one occasion he convinced the survivor that the different personalities had forced him to take an overdose; however expert toxicology evidence proved that this was categorically false.

Head also had a fascination with the film ‘Split’, in which the titular character had dissociative identity disorder and committed violent crimes. When searching his mobile phone, officers tellingly found ‘notes’ that outlined each of his ‘multiple personalities’, their names and the characteristics of each.

This long and unusually complex investigation involved victim testimony, forensics, digital assessment of thousands of text messages, witness evidence, expert testimony in relation to Head’s false overdose claim and the evaluation of Head’s medical history.

Head’s psychiatric report concluded that he did not in fact have dissociative identity disorder.

Investigating officer Andy Price said; “Head is a dangerous predator who manipulated and frightened this young woman into having sex with him without her true consent.

“The unique circumstances of this case posed a challenge to the team but with the unwavering support from the survivor, a thorough investigation and dedication by the team to bring Head to justice, a conviction was secured.

“I would like to acknowledge the bravery of the survivor was in coming forward to us, supporting the investigation and helping keep other women safe. Although the trauma of what happened cannot be erased, I hope this outcome can give at least some measure of closure.”

If you have been sexually assaulted and need further help and advice, please click here > https://www.surrey.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/