Alex Hepburn: Former Worcestershire cricketer jailed for five years for raping woman as part of WhatsApp ‘game’

‘You probably thought it was laddish behaviour at the time. In truth it was foul sexism,’ says judge

Former Worcestershire cricketer Alex Hepburn has been jailed for five years after raping a “dozing” woman as part of a sexual conquest “game”.

The 23-year-old was convicted after he carried out the attack during the first night of the “game” he helped set up through a WhatsApp group.

The Australian-born former Worcestershire all-rounder was said by the prosecution to have been “fired up” by the contest to sleep with the most women, before carrying out the rape at his flat in Portland Street, Worcester, in April 2017.

Jailing Hepburn at Hereford Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge Jim Tindal told the “immature” cricketer he and a former teammate had agreed a “pathetic sexist game to collect as many sexual encounters as possible”.

He added: “You probably thought it was laddish behaviour at the time.

“In truth it was foul sexism.

“It demeaned women and trivialised rape – a word you personally threw around lightly.

“Only now do you realise how serious rape is.”

Hepburn’s barrister, Michelle Heeley QC, said her client had expressed remorse.

Alex Hepburn, 23, arrives for sentencing at Hereford Crown Court, with partner Lucy Street, on 30 April 2019 after being convicted of raping a woman at his flat in April 2017 (PA)

In what the judge called a “brave” victim impact statement, the woman Hepburn attacked described her ordeal as “evil” and a “heinous crime”.

Praising her for giving evidence through two trials, Judge Tindal said: “I hope she can now finally be able to look to her future which will be, I am sure, bright.”

A jury found Hepburn guilty of oral rape at a retrial earlier this month, but cleared him of a further count of rape relating to the same victim.

The four-day trial at Worcester Crown Court heard that the woman wrongly thought she was having sex with Hepburn’s then county teammate Joe Clarke after meeting him at a nightclub.

She told jurors she had consensual sex with England Lions batsman Mr Clarke, who left his bedroom in the early hours to be sick in a bathroom, where he passed out.

Press Association contributed to this report

If you have been affected by sexual violence, you can find help via the NHS. Rape Crisis offers specialist support for women and girls; and the The Survivors’ Trust supports people of any gender