A sick rapist dragged a woman into the undergrowth and ignored her cries for him to stop, a court has heard.
Derby Crown Court heard the horrifying attack, including how the woman eventually stopped resisting as she believed “it would only make things worse”.
Michael James, 25, then lied to the police, claiming that the encounter was consensual, forcing the woman to relive the traumatic event while giving evidence at trial.
In a statement, the victim revealed that she initially blamed herself for the attack and could not bear to look at herself in the mirror, reports DerbyshireLive.
James, from Meath Avenue in Chaddesden, Derby, was sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of the assault.
Recorder Richard Paige stated: “This was a brutal rape and despite what happened she was brave enough to go straight to the police to report it.
“You have not shown an ounce of remorse that your actions have had on the victim. (That night) you exchanged messages on Snapchat and then Facetime then agreed to meet up. You did meet in Scarborough Rise and she looked for a bench so you could share a cannabis joint.
“There wasn’t one, she says you dragged her into some bushes, you say she went voluntarily and I give you the benefit of the doubt. While in the bushes you shared a joint and she described herself as being ‘very stoned, sleepy and drowsy’.
“You wanted more and she didn’t want more and told you ‘no’ but you told her words to the effect of ‘I am doing this’. She shouted at you to stop and get off her, she tried to get away but you stopped her.
“She said she gave up trying to stop you knowing if she fought back it would get worse. She is petite, it is no exaggeration to say you are twice her size.
“She says she will never get over what you did to her that night. It is likely to stay with her for the rest of her life and it is only her bravery and the work of police officers who should be commended which has seen this happen.
“She has suffered severe psychological harm, more than two-and-a-half years later she still suffers flashbacks.”
Caroline Bradley, prosecuting, said the rapes happened in Chaddesden in September, 2022.
She said: “[The victim] did not sleep or eat for weeks and stopped looking after herself. She said she could not look at herself in the mirror and felt dirty.
“She said she did not want to live and she described a horrible feeling that will not leave her alone.
“She said ‘I will always be reminded of it and this will affect me for the rest of my life. I have this voice in my head telling me I am not good enough for anybody and I will never be loved’.
“She said ‘I blame myself but I am starting to learn it is not my fault’.”
James was found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of assault by penetration.
Rebecca Coleman, mitigating, said: “He has no previous convictions for any serious or sexual offences.”
The 13-year prison sentence consists of 10 years custody plus a three-year extended licence. This means he will not be eligible to apply for parole until two-thirds of the way through the 10 year custodial term.
The judge also placed the defendant on the sex offender register for life.
