'He ruined my life' - South Shields sex offender jailed for eight years after raping woman in park
Offender has been sentenced to prison for the rape of a woman in a South Shields park, with the victim stating that the attack has 'completely ruined my life'.
A sex attacker who raped a stranger after he offered to help her get a taxi after a night out clubbing has been put behind bars.
Aiden Johnson led the woman to a deserted park in South Shields, and repeatedly raped her while ignoring her pleas for him to stop and attempts to push and kick him off.
The traumatised victim said what happened that night in 2023 has "completely ruined my life" and left her "broken".
She said in a statement, which was read in court: "I didn't do anything wrong. I trusted someone to help me get home and they used that trust to hurt me, now I don't trust anyone."
Johnson, 25, of Quarry Lane, South Shields, who has a previous caution for sexual assault, denied three charges of rape, one of attempted rape and one sexual assault but was convicted by a jury after a trial.
Judge Sarah Mallett today locked him up for eight years, ordered him to sign the sex offenders register for life, and said: "There are life-changing, negative consequences of your behaviour.
"Your conduct that night has devastated her life, as it has your own."
Prosecutor Ben Sayers told the court the woman, in her 20s, had been out drinking with friends and ended up Industry nightclub.
Mr Sayers said she became separated from her friends and met Johnson.
The court heard they had a dance, kissed and exchanged Snapchat details in the club but she then told him she was "too drunk" and needed to get a taxi home.
Mr Sayers said: "He offered to get her a taxi and she stated she needed to use the cashpoint to get money as she had spent her money in the club.
"The two left Industry and she used a cashpoint at a nearby Morrisons at just before 5am.
"The defendant then led her through a nearby housing estate on the pretext of finding a taxi."
The court heard while they were walking Johnson tried to lift the woman's dress and Mr Sayers added: "She wasn't interested in sexual contact and told him so, saying that's not my intention, I just want a taxi home."
The court heard the victim was led into a park and when she stumbled Johnson took his chance to attack.
Mr Sayers said: "She told him throughout she didn't want to do anything but the defendant ignored her protests and ignored her telling him to get off her and her efforts to push and kick him off.
"He tried to reassure her it was all fine."
After the attack, Johnson called himself a taxi and asked the victim if she wanted to share it, which she refused and she then called for help.
Johnson was arrested and denied any sexual activity had taken place, other than kissing. His DNA was later found on the victim's underwear.
In an impact statement, the woman said: "What happened to me that night has completely ruined my life. I have not been the same person since that night and I don't think I ever will be."
The woman said she felt so bad at times that she "didn't want to be here anymore" and added: "I think about what happened from the minute I wake up until I go to sleep. I just can't switch off and have constant nightmares.
"I still feel broken.
"I didn't do anything wrong. I trusted someone to help me get home and they used that trust to hurt me, now I don't trust anyone."
Jane Foley, defending, handed in letters and character references and said Johnson, who was still a young adult, maintains anything that happened that night was consensual.
Miss Foley told the court: "He is now 25 and more than three years has elapsed between the offence and his remand into custody. During that period he remained in the community, complied with bail conditions and committed no known offences."
The court heard Johnson has qualifications, a good work record, is a father and has a support network.