Woodbridge man jailed after raping woman following first date

A Woodbridge man has been jailed for four and a half years after subjecting a woman to a serious sexual assault while he was on a date with her.

46 year old James Walton, of Mayhew Road, attacked his victim after meeting up with her in Ely on March 25 2018.

The woman in her 20s had agreed to meet Walton at a coffee shop after several weeks of messaging him.

Walton then offered to show her his car and, once inside, he overpowered her and raped her.

He was found guilty at Peterborough Crown Court on 25 August and was sentenced earlier today (October 21).

He's also been handed a 10 year restraining order and will be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

After the sentencing , the woman said: “I cannot thank the police officers DC Kellymarie Harman and PC Yasmin Bellamy-Brace enough for all their support, guidance, and hard work; their constant reassurance is what got me through.

“You hear so many negative things about the police, but they have honestly been amazing. It’s been a long road, but I am thrilled with the outcome.

“My heart has been aching for so long, but I feel I can finally start to move on with my life, being happy and spending time with my beautiful daughter.

“I would urge more women to come forward, although it is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. The support you get whilst going through this process is fantastic. It just goes to show the justice system works.”