A TikTok user who raped a woman 'at least 10 times' has been jailed for 17 years. Jennifer O'Brien, 34, known as Jennifer Nieve on the platform, was convicted following a five-day trial at Manchester Crown Court last year.
The court heard that O'Brien, who has transitioned from a man to a woman, raped the victim despite her making it clear she did not consent to sex. The defendant would become 'aggressive' if she did not comply. O'Brien was also convicted of assault by penetration, threatening with an offensive weapon, and another serious offence.
Sentencing, Recorder Tim Harrington said: 'I have to sentence you for at least 10 occasions that you raped her. This was repeated offending.' The victim, in a statement read on her behalf, described the 'deeply damaging' impact, including panic attacks and anxiety. She said: 'I don't sleep for very long... I have lived for years with fear and anxiety.'
Defending, Dan Calder said O'Brien 'does not agree with the verdicts' but recognised the judge's duty to pass sentence. He noted O'Brien is 'highly likely' to be suffering from complex PTSD and has a history of trauma. O'Brien, of no fixed address, was ordered to serve two-thirds of the sentence in custody, with time spent on bail under curfew taken into account.
