Judge praises woman's bravery as rapist jailed

A judge has praised a woman's courage for reporting her "dangerous" rapist, who has been jailed for more than 15 years.

Samual Walker, 28, tormented his victim and ignored her pleas to stop, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Walker, from Grangetown, had denied offending but changed his pleas and admitted offences including rape as the woman neared the end of giving evidence at his trial.

After jailing Walker for 15 years and eight months, recorder Alistair MacDonald KC wished the woman well for the future.

The judge said Walker only entered guilty pleas as the woman was nearing the end of her cross-examination in the trial, adding to her distress.

He said "relentless, cruel and persistent" Walker had made the woman's life "hell", and then sought to blame his victim.

MacDonald concluded Walker was a "dangerous" offender and ordered him to serve a further three years and four months on extended licence upon his eventual release from prison.

After sending Walker down, the judge told the woman he got the impression from her victim statement she felt she had "in some way contributed" to her "own misfortune".

"Nothing could be further from the truth," MacDonald said.

"You are a victim in this case, you have no blame attached to you whatsoever."

The judge said a recording of the rape clearly showed the woman was "begging" for Walker to stop as she became "increasingly distressed" by his actions.

MacDonald said he wanted to commend the woman's "considerable courage" and "bravery" in firstly reporting Walker, then proceeding to give evidence at the trial.

The woman said Walker's decision to press ahead with the trial rather than make earlier admissions was his attempt to continue manipulating her and ruining her life.

The judge told her he hoped she could now feel secure and rebuild her life, adding: "You leave with the very best wishes of the court."

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