A man has been jailed for 11 years for raping a woman he met on the dating website Hinge, after ignoring her pleas to stop. The victim said the attacks have "changed her life forever" and left her "frightened, vulnerable and constantly on edge".
Attack details
Nathaniel Mitchell, 24, of Pellet Street, Cardiff, met his victim on Hinge and they began messaging on social media before meeting in Cardiff city centre. After kissing, Mitchell asked to go back to her home, but she initially refused. Later, after further messaging, arrangements were made for him to attend her home.
They began having consensual sex, but the victim told Mitchell to stop as he was hurting her. He refused and did not react. She repeated her pleas, but they had no impact, and she feared he would become aggressive if she continued to protest.
Court proceedings
At a sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Carl Harrison said: "You continued after she made it abundantly clear she had withdrawn her consent." The defendant caused injuries that led to bleeding, and the woman suffered a laceration. Judge Harrison noted: "You were fully aware you had injured her and you must have known about the blood as you left a bloody hand print on the wall."
The victim described herself as "frozen" and "didn't know what to do". Mitchell fell asleep while she lay awake crying, fearing she would be raped again. When he woke, he raped her a third time before leaving.
Victim impact
In a victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor Andrew Davies, the woman said: "I wish to explain the impact the offence and subsequent criminal justice process has had upon me. Although some effects have improved others continue to affect me on a daily basis since that morning and I have experienced significant emotional and psychological difficulties."
She described anxiety, panic attacks, loss of confidence, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and disturbed sleep. She added: "My sense of safety has been permanently affected and I feel frightened, vulnerable and constantly on edge, hyper vigilant."
Sentencing
Mitchell was found guilty of four counts of rape following a trial. He was of previous good character. In mitigation, Nicholas Gedge said his client has a good work ethic and references referred to him attending church every Sunday. Mitchell continues to deny the offences.
Judge Harrison sentenced him to 11 years imprisonment, with sex offender notification requirements and a restraining order indefinitely.
