Police praise for brave South Tyneside rape victim after attacker jailed

The South Tyneside woman was subject to a series of attacks by "dangerous and violent" Tyler Latimer.

Now, however, he is beginning 21 years behind bars after a jury found him guilt of three counts of rapes and one charge of common assault.

The abuse was described by Judge Sarah Mallett at Newcastle Crown Court as a deeply disturbing “campaign of sexual offences”.

Following the case, investigating officer Detective Constable Alan Gibbons, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, said: “Latimer is a dangerous and violent offender who poses a high risk of harming other women.

“We are very pleased with the sentence he has been given and are happy he is no longer free to walk our streets and cannot pose a danger to anyone else.

“We know that no amount of time behind bars can take away the painful memories he has left his victim with.

"But hopefully this lengthy sentence will serve as a reminder that we will not tolerate any violence or abuse against vulnerable people, whoever they are, wherever they are from, and we will not stop in our duty until we bring offenders like Latimer to justice.

“I would like to take this opportunity to praise the bravery of the victim for coming forward and giving evidence in court, I know this must have been a really tough thing to do.

"I would also like to thank all of the officers within the force for their hard work throughout this case.”

In her victim impact statement read out in court, the victim said: “I hope he is sent to prison for a long time, not only as a punishment for what he did to me but also to protect other people from him.

“I hope he suffers like he has made me suffer. I hope prison has the same life changing effect on him, as his abuse has on me, but I’m already worrying about when he gets out."

Latimer, 22, of Kelvin Grove, Gateshead, also pleaded guilty to two offences of assault, common assault and criminal damage.

He must sign the sex offenders’ register for life and was issued with an indefinite restraining order to protect his victim.