Victim left 'an empty shell' by rapist

Christopher Bell was jailed for 24 years after admitting six counts of rape

A rapist who subjected three women to a catalogue of abuse has been jailed, with one of his victims saying: "I am an empty shell compared to the girl I once was."

On the second day of his trial, Christopher Bell admitted six counts of rape, strangulation and assault, after Durham Crown Court heard he also forced two of his victims to have sex with other men.

The 33-year-old, of Sedgefield, was jailed for 24 years, along with three years of licenced supervision.

One of his victims told the court he had abused her as a teenager and "that girl died the moment Bell raped her and I will never get her back".

Bell admitted the offences after two of his victims, who he had developed relationships with, gave evidence against him.

He was also given a restraining order preventing him from contacting the women for 30 years and put on the sex offenders register for life.

Other charges were left on file after the prosecution accepted his guilty pleas to the eight other offences.

'Controlling nature'

Bell's victims attended the sentencing on Friday, with one telling the court: "I am an empty shell compared to the girl I once was.

"I am not to blame, I was a child. But even with this knowledge I am forced to live with the consequences of his actions.

"That girl died the moment Bell raped her and I will never get her back."

Another told the court how Bell had isolated her from her friends and family, and tracked her mobile phone.

"At the time I felt unable to walk away from the situation, as I had been isolated by Christopher," she said.

"Because of his behaviour towards me, his sexual aggression, controlling nature, and manipulation, I lost all my self-confidence and my mental health declined dramatically."

Another said: "Christopher Bell has never once stopped and admitted his behaviour towards me and his other victims, and he seems to live in his own fantasy world."

Investigating officers Heidi Weir and David Wray, of Durham Police, said Bell's victims had shown "incredible courage and bravery".

"Nobody should ever have to suffer abuse of this nature, let alone at the hands of someone who is supposed to love and support them," they added.

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