MAN TOOK ADVANTAGE OF WOMAN SLEEPING AFTER DRINKING HEAVILY
A MAN who took advantage of a woman sleeping after drinking heavily, by indecently assaulting and raping her, is starting a nine-and-a-half year’ prison sentence.The sentence was imposed on Stephen Drewett yesterday, at Durham Crown Court, where he was convicted of rape after a recent trial.
Drewett was said to have got into bed next to the sleeping woman after drinking with others at a house in the Peterlee area in the early hours of August 17, 2019.
The court heard that following his sexual attack on the woman she went downstairs and he followed, locking her into a room to prevent her reporting what had taken place.
She managed to escape after climbing out of a window and fled wearing only one shoe, to report what had taken place at the home of a family member.
Drewett was arrested and denied carrying out the attack, maintaining his account at last month’s trial.
But after a four-day hearing, the 32-year-old defendant, of Tudor Court, Shotton Colliery, was found guilty of rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment on unanimous jury verdicts, on July 15.
He was remanded in custody to allow the victim to make an updated impact statement to be read to the sentencing hearing.
Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, outlined the effect she said the incident has had on her in the near two-year period since it took place.
She said she initially found it hard to speak about and later underwent counselling, at one stage breaking down in tears when recounting the ordeal.
In the period following the incident she was at times fearful of going out and decided to moved home, hoping that few people would not know where she was living.
Despite the passage of time since the attack she said she remains anxious, depressed and angry, and still has nightmares about her ordeal.
She added that she found the need to attend court stressful.
Ian Mullarkey, for Drewett, said he has no previous convictions and his first taste of custody has had, “a profound effect” on him, while the prison sentence would have a “significant” impact on his family life.
Imposing sentence, Judge James Adkin made Drewett subject of a restraining order, prohibiting him from making contact with his victim for life.
He must also register as a sex offender for life.
