A woman suffered a seizure while being repeatedly raped in a secluded park by a man she had met just hours earlier during a night out in South Shields.
Aiden Johnson, 25, was jailed for eight years after being convicted of three counts of rape, attempted rape and assault by penetration following the attack.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the woman had been enjoying a night out with friends before becoming separated from them at Industry nightclub, where she met Johnson.
The pair kissed and exchanged contact details before leaving the venue together at around 5am.
The woman told Johnson she wanted to get a taxi home, but prosecutors said he instead led her through a nearby housing estate under the pretence of helping her find one.
‘She repeatedly told him to stop’
Ben Sayers, prosecuting, said Johnson attempted to lift the woman’s dress, but she made clear she did not want to have sex with him.
Johnson then led her to a park, where she stumbled to the ground before he began sexually attacking her.
The court heard the woman repeatedly protested and attempted to push and kick Johnson away.
Mr Sayers told the court: “She repeatedly told him to stop.”
The woman was raped three times and subjected to a further sexual assault.
Mr Sayers said: “She told him throughout she did not want to do anything. He ignored her protests and her efforts to push and kick him off. He tried to reassure her it was all fine.”
During the ordeal, the woman suffered a seizure and lost consciousness.
When she regained consciousness, she told Johnson she had previously experienced sexual abuse and did not need to go through it again. The court heard Johnson reply that he “wasn’t like that”.
Johnson later left in a taxi after asking the woman to accompany him. She refused and contacted members of her family before reporting the attack to police.
DNA evidence found on victim’s underwear
Following his arrest, Johnson denied that any sexual activity had taken place, although he said he had gone to the park hoping sex might happen.
Forensic examination subsequently identified Johnson’s DNA on the woman’s underwear.
In a victim impact statement, the woman described the profound effect the attack has had on her life.
She said: “What happened to me has completely ruined my life. I haven’t been the same person since and don’t think I ever will be.”
The court heard she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and has experienced suicidal thoughts since the attack.
She described suffering recurring nightmares, reliving what happened and struggling to trust other people after placing her faith in someone she believed was helping her get home safely.
Jailed for eight years
Sentencing Johnson, Judge Sarah Mallett told him: “Your conduct that night has devastated her life as it has your own.”
The court heard Johnson had previously received a caution for sexual assault when he was a youth.
Jane Foley, defending, said Johnson continued to maintain that the sexual activity had been consensual, had the support of his family and had previously led a productive life.
Johnson was sentenced to eight years in prison, placed on the sex offenders register for life and made subject to a restraining order.
