(Image: Northumbria Police)
A brutal rapist pinned down and strangled a woman who was left fearing she might die.
Shaun Graham forced himself on her, sexually assaulting and raping her despite her repeated cries of "no".
It happened at an address in South Tyneside, where the victim escaped from before telling a friend what had happened.
Police were called, and Graham was arrested and questioned.
He claimed he had consensual sex with the woman, and denied any wrongdoing.
The 40-year-old defendant, of Stafford Close, Jarrow, went on trial at Newcastle Crown Court and was found guilty of rape, sexual assault and non-fatal strangulation on Wednesday (September 30).
In a victim statement the woman said: “During what happened to me that night, there were moments when I genuinely believed I might not make it out alive.
"I cannot properly put into words what it feels like to believe that you might die.
"In those moments, all I could think about were my family and the possibility that I might never see them again.
“I was violated in the most inhumane way, and that carries a shame that I struggle to put into words.
"My body did not feel like my own that night, and even now, during flashbacks and nightmares, I feel disconnected from my own body.
“There are still moments when I feel that same shame, even though I know that what happened was not something I chose.
"Before this happened, I generally saw the good in people and felt confident in my own judgement.
"Since then, I have become far more guarded and suspicious of others.
"I question situations and people in a way I never used to, and I no longer have the same confidence in my ability to judge who is safe.”
Directly addressing Graham, she continued: “You did not hurt me for just one night. I have lived with the consequences every day since.
"The consequences of your actions have lasted for years already.
“You have taken my sparkle away from me.
"I am still here, and I am trying to find those parts of myself again. I hope that one day I will feel safe, trusting and completely myself again, but I do not know how long that will take, if at all.
“What I do know is that what you did to me has changed the course of my life without my consent, just as my choice was taken from me that night.
“I should never have had to rebuild myself. I survived what you have done to me. Now I must live with what you have left behind.”
Graham returned to court on Friday (October 2), and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He must also remain subject to sex offenders’ registration for life.
Detective Constable Kerry Kane, of Northumbria Police, led the investigation.
After the sentencing hearing, she said: “Shaun Graham subjected this woman to a vile assault which, in her own words, has completely changed her life.
“My first thoughts always are with her.
"She has shown such courage from that initial report to police all the way through to the sentencing hearing today.
“Hopefully knowing Graham will spend a substantial time behind bars will help her move forward with her life.
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“This case is a stark reminder that no means no.
"Lack of consent means you are a rapist.
"Day in, day out we put these people before the courts and bring them to justice as part of our mission to protect vulnerable people in our communities.”