Ex-soldier jailed for brutal rape and assault reduces sentence on appeal

EX-SOLDIER JAILED FOR BRUTAL RAPE AND ASSAULT REDUCES SENTENCE ON APPEAL

A 34-year-old former soldier from Silksworth, Sunderland, named David Stokoe, was found guilty of serious crimes including rape, sexual assault, and inflicting actual bodily harm.

His initial sentence from Durham Crown Court in July of the previous year was 15 years and nine months in prison.

Following an appeal, the sentence was reduced by two years to a total of 13 years and nine months.

The case was presided over by Judge Peter Lodder QC, who described the assault as terrifying due to its brutality.

Evidence presented in court revealed that Stokoe, who had served as a corporal, subjected his victim to brutal rape and physical abuse.

During the attack, he pulled her hair to whip her, grasped her neck, and forced her to the ground.

The judge remarked that Stokoe’s actions had devastated her life, describing his conduct as a destruction of her well-being.

The appeals court considered the original sentence to be 'manifestly excessive' and, in their judgment, took into account Stokoe’s notably 'exemplary' military service record when reducing his punishment.