Leek rapist Darrell Evans had threatened to tie up victim

FORTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Darrell Evans has been jailed for five years after he was convicted of raping a woman.

The defendant denied the offence but was found guilty by a jury after a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court last month.

The court heard Evans committed the offence after consuming alcohol.

His victim had taped the conversation leading up to the attack on her mobile phone.

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When the woman told Evans she did not want sex and stated it would be rape, the defendant made what Judge Paul Glenn described as "grotesque, sinister and chilling" threats.

"Not surprisingly she was frightened," said the judge.

"It was not just verbal threats. You brought a rope and threatened to tie her up. She managed to prevent that. She thought you were going to strangle her.

"You did what you threatened to do. She resisted when you tried to take off her top. But you returned and raped her."

The court heard Evans said to his victim: "Why are you frightened, you might enjoy it."

Judge Glenn told Evans: "The threats you made were grotesque, they were sinister and chilling.

"You knew full well she wasn't consenting.

"She submitted to you out of fear."

Anthony Potter, mitigating, told the court Evans intends to appeal against his conviction.

He said the father, who has no previous convictions, was experiencing an extremely difficult period in his life. But his situation was not helped by the amount he was drinking.

Mr Potter said: "I accept there were some unattractive features to this incident, the use of a rope, removal of the car keys, and vile threats made by him."

Mr Potter said Evans, of Upper Hulme, Leek, is a committed father and has assisted others in the community through a rugby club.

He added that Evans runs a healthy business which has four employees and is concerned about the effect his incarceration will have on others.

Evans will serve up to half the sentence with the rest on licence.

And he will be on the sex offenders' register for life.

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "We welcome today's sentence as we take all reports of sexual assault and abuse very seriously and are determined to bring offenders to justice.

"We are committed to supporting vulnerable victims through the prosecution process, enlisting extra support for victims through other organisations.

"We would encourage anyone who is a victim of this type of crime to report it to the police."