Reece Wood has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of raping a woman and transmitting a sexually transmitted disease.
According to court reports, Wood forcibly engaged in sexual activity with the woman despite her insistence that she was not willing.
The hearing at Teesside Crown Court revealed that the 30-year-old defendant exhibited unpredictable and erratic behaviour, which was attributed to drug influence during the incident.
The court also noted that the complainant clearly refused to consent before Wood committed the assault.
In a victim personal statement, the woman said: “What happened to me that night changed me in ways that I’m still trying to understand.
“It changed how I feel, how I think, how I sleep and how I see myself.” The court heard the defendant gave the woman herpes.
Wood, of Galt Street, Thornley, Durham, was found guilty of rape following a retrial.
Daniel Cordey, mitigating, said: “He knows he will receive a significant custodial sentence.
“He is still a relatively young man, he has appeared in magistrates court before, never the crown court, and he has never received a custodial sentence before.” Judge Richard Bennett sentenced Wood to eight years in custody.
“From what I have heard about you was that your behaviour was erratic,” he said.
“You tried to kiss her and she was having none of it, telling you to get off and go away.
“She told you clearly that she had no interest in sexual activity." Wood was made subject to an indefinite restraining order and told he must sign on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
Reece Wood has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of raping a woman and transmitting a sexually transmitted disease. According to court reports, Wood forcibly engaged in sexual activity with the woman despite h...
Prison sentence
eight years
Reece Wood has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of raping a woman and transmitting a sexually transmitted disease
Prison sentence
eight years
Daniel Cordey, mitigating, said: "He knows he will receive a significant custodial sentence. "He is still a relatively young man, he has appeared in magistrates court before, never the crown court, and he has never received a custodial sentence before." Judge Richard Bennett sentenced Wood to eight years in custody. "From what I have heard about you was that your behaviour was erratic," he said. "You tried to kiss her and she was having none of it, telling you to get off and go away. "She told you clearly that she had no interest in sexual activity." Wood was made subject to an indefinite restraining order and told he must sign on the sex offenders' register for life
Court order
life
Daniel Cordey, mitigating, said: "He knows he will receive a significant custodial sentence. "He is still a relatively young man, he has appeared in magistrates court before, never the crown court, and he has never received a custodial sentence before." Judge Richard Bennett sentenced Wood to eight years in custody. "From what I have heard about you was that your behaviour was erratic," he said. "You tried to kiss her and she was having none of it, telling you to get off and go away. "She told you clearly that she had no interest in sexual activity." Wood was made subject to an indefinite restraining order and told he must sign on the sex offenders' register for life
