Michael Wheeler 37 alleged to have been murdered in Yeovil Somerset Was A Convicted Rapist.

Four men have been charged in Yeovil Somerset with the murder of Michael Wheeler, who had been missing for a month, although it now transpires Wheeler was a convicted rapist and moved to the area after his release from prison.

Wheeler moved from Southend to the Somerset town, known as a hot bed for sexual predators, who on my occasions go undetected or apprehended.

Michael Wheeler, then 23, gave the teenager a knife and forced her to cut up her clothes, before raping her twice as he kept her captive for 24 hours at a house in Southend.

The court heard at the time he already had a caution on his record for a sexual assault in 2006, which had similar characteristics.

Andrew Jackson, prosecuting, said the attack had a “profound effect” on the teenager, . He said she had lost a dangerous amount of weight and been left suffering from panic attacks. 

Wheeler’s addiction to cocaine had played a part in his offending along with an inability to control his temper the court heard at the time, before he was jailed.

Judge John Lodge, at the time of sentencing, told Wheeler: “You are a controlling man who seeks to demean women by using sexual violence when you are spurned by them.”

Wheeler, of Whitegate Road, Southend, was found guilty of two counts of rape, one of false imprisonment, and one of criminal damage, following a two-week trial at Basildon Crown Court.

After serving his sentence, he moved to Yeovil where it's alleged he was murdered.

Four men have been charged for his murder and remain on remand until their trial. 

He was jailed for a minimum of four years after which he will be released on licence for ten years.