Hartlepool man Jack Crannage sentenced at Teesside Crown Court for rape of vulnerable woman

Jack Crannage, 27, attacked the victim in the early hours of the morning after drinking, Teesside Crown Court heard.

He denied the offence but was found guilty by a jury following a three-day trial in August.

Crannage returned to court to be sentenced on Monday.

Prosecutor Annelise Haugstad told how he kissed and touched the victim against her will before removing her clothing and raping her.

Ms Haugstad said: “She kept saying no. She repeatedly told him to get off. He ignored that.

“She twisted herself and screamed to get away from him.”

The victim fled to a friend’s and reported the incident to the police.

She bravely read out an impact statement in court, in which she said: “Since the incident happened I feel scared. I don’t trust people any more.”

She said she found the process after reporting the rape traumatic as well as giving evidence in court.

“What he has done has taken a lot away from me,” she added.

In mitigation, Michael Cahill said Crannage, of Catcote Road, Hartlepool, had a difficult upbringing and he had never committed such a serious crime before.

Mr Cahill said: “This will be the first significant custodial sentence that he serves. This is the first occasion he’s committed a grave offence.”

Crannage continues to deny his guilt although a pre-sentence report considered him a high risk of reoffending.

Judge Peter Armstrong said he had taken advantage of the victim and caused her pain and humiliation.

He told Crannage: “The psychological effect on her has been severe.”