Gateshead man jailed for more than 11 years for attacking two women
It happened in 2021
A Gateshead man who attacked two women after meeting them on social media and inviting them to his home has been jailed for more than 11 years.
It happened in 2021.
The court heard 27-year-old James Wilkinson of Dunston Road in Gateshead met one woman on the 9th May in person before taking her back to his flat in the Wideopen area.
He encouraged the woman to go into his bedroom to watch television before attacking her.
Later the same month on the 24th May 2021 a similar incident happened with a different woman.
Wilkinson was found guilty of three counts of rape and at Durham Crown Court a Judge sentenced him to 11 years and six months in prison - he was also given a restraining order and ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely.
Speaking after the result, Detective Constable Donya Durward, who led the investigation at Northumbria Police, said:
“First and foremost, I would like to praise both of the survivors in this case for the bravery and composure they have shown during the investigation and lengthy criminal proceedings.
“It is thanks to their courage in reporting what happened to police that a dangerous offender like Wilkinson is now behind bars and will be unable to harm anyone else.
“Wilkinson preyed on his two unsuspecting young victims on separate occasions, where they had made plans to meet up with him for a date after chatting on social media.
“However, it soon became clear that Wilkinson had other intentions and attacked the women in his own home.
“While he denied his despicable actions, Wilkinson was found guilty due to the strong evidence stacked against him – a key part being that while his victims did not know each other, they had both reported him to police for the same offence in similar circumstances, taking place only two weeks apart.”
Det Con Durward added:
“I absolutely welcome this sentence and hope it provides both courageous survivors in this case with some comfort in knowing he’s now locked up for a significant period.
“I hope this conviction serves as a stark warning to those with an unlawfully blurred view of consent that someone consenting to meet up with you or agreeing to go back to your room or home absolutely does not equate to sexual consent.
“It is also important to recognise that people can withdraw consent at any time.
“No one should ever have to endure this type of assault and support is available from our officers and the many fantastic charities we work closely with.
“If you have ever been a victim of rape or any type of sexual assault, we’re here for you.”