NORTH TYNESIDE MAN JAILED FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
A teenager has been praised for fighting off her rapist as he was jailed for more than ten years.Steven Rycroft subjected the girl to a terrifying attack which has left her traumatised.
After abusing her, he issued death threats, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
The girl said in a victim impact statement that what happened to her "was a day I would never have imagined" and "the day my life changed forever".
She added: "I still feel disgusted to talk about it.
"I feared for my life because he told me I would be killed if I told anyone.
The pain he caused me, I'm left with for life.
I keep reminding myself the worst thing has already happened to me and hopefully I will be happy in the future." Rycroft, 43, formerly of North Tyneside, pleaded guilty to offences including rape and sexual assault and was jailed for ten years and five months.
He was also given a lifelong restraining order and told he must sign the sex offenders register for life.
Sentencing him, Judge Gavin Doig said: "I want to commend (the victim) for her enormous courage for how she acted in fighting you off and the way she's doing her best to carry on with her life and I also want to commend all those who care for her as she recovers."
