Doncaster Man Jailed for Over Nine Years for Rape and Violent Abuse

A Doncaster man has been sentenced to over nine years in prison for raping a woman, falsely imprisoning her, and subjecting her to a campaign of violent abuse.

David Flatters, 22, waited for his victim to fall asleep before raping her. He then issued a series of chilling threats to keep his violent behavior a secret, telling her he would "send people round to her family's house" and that he was going to "watch her take her last breath."

Flatters' brutal attacks left his victim with a catalogue of horrific injuries, including bruises, bleeding to the head, a black eye, and cuts to her face. On one occasion, he lured her to the woods, beat her with sticks, and stood on the back of her neck while she was face down in the dirt and unable to breathe.

Investigation Officer Rowan Bradbury, who works for Doncaster's Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) team, said: "Flatters' offending was savage, calculated, and wicked as he subjected his victim to vile abuse both physically and mentally. She was understandably terrified of him, and I want to praise her courage and fortitude in coming forward to tell us about the abuse she had endured at his hands. It can't have been easy for her, and I can't imagine the terror she must have endured, but it was her testimony that helped secure a lengthy custodial sentence for Flatters."

Flatters was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including rape, controlling and coercive behavior, false imprisonment, strangulation, common assault, intimidation, and escaping from lawful custody. He pleaded guilty to all charges.

Flatters was sentenced to a total of nine years and five months in jail at Sheffield Crown Court on May 1st. He must then spend an additional two years on licence, and he has been made subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) for an indefinite period.

The terms of the SHPO mean that Flatters, of Cranbrook Road, Wheatley, must also inform the Violent and Sex Offender Register (ViSOR) whenever he enters into a new relationship with another person.