(Image: Northumbria Police)
A repeat rapist who ignored a woman’s repeated cries of “no” has been brought to justice.
Calvin White raped and sexually assaulted the woman at several addresses across the North East, despite her repeated pleas of “no”.
The attacks came to light only after the woman told a health professional.
Police found messages in which the victim confronted White about the attacks, to which he replied: “What? When I raped you?”
Calvin White received a nine-year prison sentence after changing pleas and admitting three charges each of rape and sexual assault, but only on the day he was due to stand trial (Image: Northumbria Police)
When arrested and questioned, White denied wrongdoing and claimed the sex was consensual.
He also denied sending the messages.
The 35-year-old defendant, of South Dene, South Shields, was charged with several offences.
He denied them all until the opening day of his trial at Newcastle Crown Court in July, when he pleaded guilty to six offences, three each of rape and sexual assault.
White returned to the court on September 28 for sentencing, where the victim described the impact of his abuse.
In her victim personal statement, read to the court, she said: "I said no. I told him to stop. He did not. He showed no regard for me or my consent".
She said: “I have suffered from severe anxiety and paranoia. I lived in constant fear.
"I became withdrawn and stopped going out unless absolutely necessary.
"The only times I left the house were to go to work and back.
“I did all my shopping online because I couldn’t face being around people.
"I was exhausted, mentally and physically.
“I couldn’t sleep. I lost my sense of security and stability.
"I don’t trust men. When I go for a walk and a man looks at me, I feel deeply uncomfortable, sometimes panicked.
"I avoid eye contact, turn around, and walk the other way.
"These reactions are automatic, and they show how deeply this trauma is still embedded in me.”
White was jailed for nine years and will spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
He was also given indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention and restraining orders.
Lead investigator Detective Constable Wood, of Northumbria Police, said: “I’d firstly like to highlight the bravery of the victim-survivor in this case.
“Her courage and determination throughout this process ultimately led to White being held to account for the attacks he carried out against her.
“While the sentence cannot undo what she endured at White’s hands, I hope it provides some closure and helps her move forward.”
She added: “White has shown that he does not understand the concept of ‘no means no’, despite claiming that he does.
“Sex without consent is rape, it’s as simple as that.
“And that is something no-one should ever have to experience."
Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, should contact police by direct message on social media or through the force website’s “live chat” or “report” pages.
For anyone unable to contact police online, then they should call 101.
More information about rape and sexual assault is available on the force website.