(Image: Durham Constabulary)
A County Durham pervert raped and sexually assaulted a sleeping woman before begging her not to report him to police, a court heard.
Officers went to a property after an anonymous report but got no immediate response when they knocked.
Teesside Crown Court heard Waldron was said to be begging the woman not to disclose what he had done.
The victim told the officers Waldron had raped her while she slept and assaulted her.
Daniel Waldron received a 12-year prison sentence after being found guilty at trial of the rape and sexual assault of a woman who was sleeping at the time
Waldron had hidden the woman’s phone, so she could not immediately call police, the court heard.
The defendant claimed any sexual activity was consensual and denied that the woman was asleep.
Waldron denied rape, sexual assault and assault causing actual bodily harm.
The 29-year-old defendant, of Honister Place, Newton Aycliffe, stood trial at the court from June 29 to July 3, when he was found guilty of all three counts.
Following preparation of background reports by the Probation Service, Waldron appeared by video link from Holme House Prison for sentencing on Friday, (October 2).
The court heard a statement from the victim describing the “devastating impact” of Waldron’s crimes on her physical and mental health.
Waldron was said to have no previous sexual offences on his record, but he has a past conviction for violence.
Recorder Andrew Sutcliffe KC said aggravating factors of the latest conviction included Waldron being under the influence of alcohol during the offences and trying to persuade the victim not to report them.
The Recorder said the added degradation and humiliation suffered by the victim was another aggravating factor.
He said in his view Waldron poses a danger to women but he felt he did not need to pass an extended sentence.
Recorder Sutcliffe imposed a 12-year prison sentence on Waldron, who must serve two-thirds in prison before being released on licence.
He also placed Waldron on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
A restraining order prohibits him from contacting or approaching the victim or going to any address where he knows she may be.
The order also lasts indefinitely, effectively for life.