Rapist who attacked woman in her sleep jailed

James Spedding denied rape but was found guilty at trial

A rapist who attacked a woman in her sleep has been jailed.

James Spedding, of Charlesworth Court in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire, had been drinking with his victim in March 2022.

In the early hours, she woke in a vulnerable state to find the 26-year-old on top of her.

Spedding denied rape but he was convicted after a trial at Nottingham Crown Court in November last year.

At the same court on Thursday, Spedding was jailed for seven years, which he will begin in a secure hospital.

He was also given a 10-year restraining order and must register with police under the Sexual Offences Act indefinitely.

Det Con Jessica Ashford, of Nottinghamshire Police, said the victim had suffered "three years of turmoil" since the attack, "with nightmares, constant stress and anxiety".

She hopes the sentence will encourage victims of sexual assaults to come forward.