Gloucestershire man jailed for raping woman twice
- Published
A jury found Matthew Dickens guilty of two counts of rape against a woman
A 25-year-old man who was found guilty of twice raping a young woman has been sentenced to six years in jail.
Matthew Dickens, 25, of Greet Road in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday.
He had been found guilty by a jury of two counts of rape against the same woman in an incident in 2020.
The judge imposed an indefinite sex offender registration and 10 year restraining order.
Judge Rupert Lowe told him: "You ignored her when she asked you to stop and you carried on satisfying your sexual desires.
"She has been left with emotional damage and her normal day to day activities are now curtailed," Mr Lowe continued.
Dickens met the woman following contact with her via a messaging app. After spending time at a bar, Dickens went to the victim's home with her.
She could not recall how she became undressed but recounted how Dickens then went on to rape her twice and hold her throat.
The victim told the court in a statement: "This whole situation has had an impact on me in numerous ways.
"This includes the initial pain which I suffered as it lasted for some two months, and my ability to form relationships and being in the company of men.
"I can no longer concentrate as something always triggers a flashback in me. I am suicidal and am undergoing treatment with a counsellor.
"I now suffer severe mood swings and shout at those closest to me."
'Dangerous individual'
Detective Constable Rob Brown from Gloucestershire Police commended the victim's "bravery and determination".
He said: "I hope this sentence provides some level of validation for her courage. In the process a dangerous individual has now been convicted at court and, potentially, prevented from wrecking other people's lives.
"My message to anyone else who is a rape victim who is worried about coming forward is that you will be believed and that the criminal justice system is beginning to change.
"We are transforming the way that the Crown Prosecution Service and the police handle rape and sexual assault cases, and are working together to ensure that victims are supported throughout the prosecution process."
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