NEWCASTLE MAN RAPED WOMAN WHILE SHE WAS ASLEEP IN BED
A man faced a prison sentence after assaulting a woman while she was sleeping in her bed.The victim discovered Corey Steele engaging in sexual activity without her consent after she woke up.
Despite her protests and attempts to resist, he ignored her pleas and tried to pin her down.
She eventually managed to break free and struck him in the face.
Corey Steele, aged 25 and living on Lindisfarne Close in East Denton, Newcastle, was charged with several counts of rape.
During police inquiries into a similar case involving another woman, he was also charged with an additional count of rape.
According to authorities, Steele shared a bed with the woman, who withdrew her consent after feeling unwell.
Despite her protests and insistence that it was rape, Steele continued his assault, dismissing her concerns with the words "I don’t care" and keeping her restrained.
She struggled, shouted for help, and fought to escape until Steele ceased his attack, fearing he might be caught.
Initially denying the charges, Steele later pleaded guilty to two counts of rape involving both women on the first day of his trial.
A judge at Newcastle Crown Court handed him a 14-year prison sentence.
One victim provided a statement describing how Steele’s conduct profoundly impacted her mental health.
She said her trust in others was damaged and that she now tends to avoid leaving her home regularly.
She also shared that she experienced feelings of depression, stress, and anger during the legal process, expressing her disappointment that Steele refused to accept responsibility and acknowledge the suffering he caused.
Detective Constable Robert Mellenthin from Durham Police appreciated the victims' bravery in coming forward and stressed the importance of securing justice.
He expressed hope that Steele’s conviction would help the women achieve emotional closure and encourage more victims to report sexual crimes.
He emphasized that consent must always be explicit and clear, pointing out that silence, resistance, or distress indicate a lack of agreement.
He concluded by urging anyone impacted by sexual assault to reach out to trained officers for help, promising ongoing support and dedication to justice.
