SUNDERLAND EX-SOLDIER JAILED NEARLY 16 YEARS FOR RAPE AND ASSAULTS
An ex-soldier from Sunderland has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison for serious sexual and physical assaults on a woman in County Durham.
David Stokoe, aged 33, was convicted at Durham Crown Court on charges including three counts of rape, two sexual assaults, and two assault causing actual bodily harm.
He denied all seven charges, but the jury found him guilty of one count of rape, one sexual assault, and both assault charges by majority and unanimous verdicts respectively.
The victim provided an impact statement describing how she has lost her self-esteem and confidence, feeling her life has been 'destroyed' and being 'petrified' of encountering her attacker while he was out on bail.
An updated statement expressed her feeling that 'No matter what the sentence, I feel like it’s my life sentence.' During sentencing, the prosecution highlighted the psychological harm caused, while the defense emphasized his military service and lack of previous convictions.
Judge Hickey sentenced Stokoe to 15 years and nine months and ordered him to be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and indefinite registration as a sex offender.
The court acknowledged the graphic victim impact statement and evidence, noting the defendant's propensity for violence against women when drinking.
The sentence reflects the severity of his crimes, which include multiple sexual and violent offenses.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
An ex-soldier from Sunderland has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison for serious sexual and physical assaults on a woman in County Durham. David Stokoe, aged 33, was convicted at Durham Crown Court on charges including three cou...
Prison sentence
16 years
An ex-soldier from Sunderland has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison for serious sexual and physical assaults on a woman in County Durham
Life or indeterminate sentence
life
An updated statement expressed her feeling that 'No matter what the sentence, I feel like it's my life sentence.' During sentencing, the prosecution highlighted the psychological harm caused, while the defense emphasized his military service and lack of previous convictions
Court order
15 years and nine months
Judge Hickey sentenced Stokoe to 15 years and nine months and ordered him to be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and indefinite registration as a sex offender
