Man sentenced for rape in Norwich
His victim was unconscious at the time
Last updated 11th May 2021
A man who raped a woman while she was unconscious during a medical episode has been sentenced to more than six years.
Jamie Webster, 44, of Salhouse, appeared before Norwich Crown Court on Friday (7 May 2021) and was sentenced to six years and six months in total after admitting to rape and possession of a prohibited weapon, a stun gun.
On 12 October last year, Webster was at a property with a woman in Norwich when she had multiple seizures, due to a medical condition, where she lost functioning of her body and drifted in and out of consciousness. During one of the seizures, Webster had sex with the woman without her consent. She awoke to find him on top of her, though she could not feel her legs and was not in a fully conscious state to consent.
The victim subsequently told a colleague and close friends in the following days after the incident and statements were made to the police resulting in Webster being arrested on 18 October 2020. A search of the property was made and uncovered the stun device.
In her statement to the court, the victim said the rape has changed her life forever, adding:
"I couldn't believe what he was doing to me. Due to my medical state I have then lost consciousness again, with this all occurring without him knowing that I knew what he had done to me. From that moment my life fell to pieces around me."
DC Tom Harvey said:
"I welcome the sentence and I hope this sends a clear indication that the Norfolk Constabulary will pursue justice against perpetrators of such heinous crimes. Having worked closely with the victim, I am fully aware of the distress this incident caused her and I commend her for the strength and courage she has shown throughout."