A man who raped and sexually assaulted a woman numerous times has been jailed for nine years. Calvin White, 35, of South Dene, South Tyneside, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing on Monday, September 28, after pleading guilty to six offences: three counts of rape and three counts of assault by penetration.
White’s offending came to light after the victim disclosed the attacks to a health professional. Evidence included messages between the pair in which the woman confronted White about his actions, to which he replied, “What? When I raped you?”
Investigation and guilty plea
Following the report to Northumbria Police, White was arrested and questioned. During the interview, he denied any wrongdoing, claiming everything had been consensual and that he had not sent the text messages. Despite this, a complex investigation led to charges being brought.
White initially denied the charges, but on the first day of his trial in July, he changed his plea to guilty.
Victim impact statement
At the sentencing hearing, the victim described the abuse’s impact in a Victim Personal Statement. She said: “Since the abuse, I have suffered from severe anxiety and paranoia. I lived in constant fear that he was watching me or would come after me. The abuse isolated me from friends and made me feel completely alone.”
She added: “I said no. I told him to stop. He did not. He showed no regard for me or my consent. The memory of those moments will stay with me forever.”
Sentence and police response
Alongside the prison term, White will spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was given indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and restraining orders.
Northumbria Police’s Detective Constable Wood, who led the case, said: “I’d firstly like to highlight the bravery of the victim-survivor in this case. The courage and determination she has shown throughout this process has ultimately led us to holding White to account for the attacks he carried out against her.”
She added: “White has demonstrated 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.”
Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, recent or non-recent, is asked to contact police via social media direct message, the live chat or ‘report’ pages on the Northumbria Police website, or by calling 101.
