Ipswich man jailed for five years after rape conviction
Leon Thomas, 53, formerly of Farina Close in Ipswich, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday after a jury found him guilty of raping a woman he knew.
The details: Thomas appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday, 27 November for sentencing after being found guilty of rape by a jury at an earlier hearing.
The court heard that Thomas and the victim were known to each other and that the attack had taken place at her home address.
A video recording had taken place at the time of the offence. Although visual footage was unclear, audio was captured and played to the court, in which the victim is heard clearly asking the suspect to stop.
Thomas has been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life following his conviction.
What they're saying: Detective Constable William Wright, the investigation officer, said: "Thomas took advantage of the victim and, despite the clear audio evidence, he denied that he was the male in the recording or that he was guilty of any wrongdoing, thereby forcing the victim to relive the experience in court.
"This case serves as a reminder that consent is not optional."
The bottom line: Thomas will spend five years in prison and remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life after being convicted of rape.
This article cost us ~£14 to produce
It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners.
Below the line