Rapist jailed for 21 years for attacking South Tyneside woman

Tyler Latimer was convicted of committing a string of offences against a woman, from South Tyneside, who was left "cowering and extremely distressed" by her ordeal.

A judge has told the 22-year-old his crimes were "deeply disturbing" and that his victim suffered "gratuitous degradation" at his hands.

At Newcastle Crown Court Latimer was convicted by a jury of three offences of rape and one of common assault.

He had pleaded guilty to two offences of assault, common assault and criminal damage.

The court heard Latimer had turned his victim's face away from him while he raped her because "he didn't want to see her crying".

He also took photographs on his mobile phone of the injuries he caused her, which included strangle marks to her neck and threw water at her.

Judge Sarah Mallett sentenced Latimer to 21 years behind bars with a four year extended licence period.

He must now sign the sex offenders' register for life.

The judge said Latimer has shown "no remorse" for what he did to the woman and told him: "You have shown no insight or ability to empathise.

"It seems you have a limited ability to control your own behaviour.

"You pose a high risk of commission of further sexual offences.

"You pose a high risk of harm to females."

Judge Mallett added: "There is a significant risk, in my view, that you will commit further specified offences and by doing so will cause physical or psychological harm to one or more people."

The judge said Latimer, of Kelvin Grove, Gateshead, is not a "lost cause" as he is "intellectually able" and has no similar previous convictions.