Rapist has been jailed for an attack he carried out a number of years ago.

Rapist Jailed for Attack, Despite Insisting Victim Hacked His Account

Mark Thompson, 21, was sentenced to three years and eleven months in prison for a rape he committed several years ago. He was found guilty by a unanimous jury at Teesside Crown Court last month.

During the trial, evidence revealed that Thompson had admitted to the rape in messages sent to the victim after the attack. However, he claimed his account had been hacked and that the messages were not his.

The court heard concerns from the probation service regarding Thompson's difficulties in prison. He has a stutter and suspected learning difficulties, which the probation officer described as making it difficult for him to adjust.

Rod Hunt, Thompson's defense attorney, argued that Thompson was "not fully developed" at the time of the offense and likely still isn't fully developed. He mentioned Thompson's visible distress during the trial.

Prosecutor Ian West highlighted the "catastrophic effect" the rape had on the victim. In a statement, the victim detailed the significant impact on their mental and physical health, including anxiety, hair loss, and a diminished physical capacity.

The victim's statement concluded: "My anxiety worsened. I started pulling my hair out. My trust in men has gone. The verdict means that I am now believed and I can finally move on. I do believe he deserves prison."

Recorder Aisha Wadoodi acknowledged Thompson's age at the time of the offense and his communication difficulties, but emphasized the severity of the psychological harm inflicted on the victim. She sentenced Thompson to three years and eleven months, with half of the sentence to be served before eligibility for release. Thompson will also be subject to sex offender notification requirements for the rest of his life.