A rapist from Runcorn has been locked up for 12 years after he perpetuated a ‘campaign of rape’ against his victim.
Richard Disberry, 33, of Stonelea, Windmill Hill, faced justice at Chester Crown Court on Monday.
A jury unanimously convicted him of five counts of rape and one of assault by beating following a trial in September.
Simon Parry, prosecuting, described how separate assaults against the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, took place over years.
On one occasion he head butted his victim during her ordeal.
Mr Parry said photographs were also produced showing bruises where she had been gripped by Disberry.
The victim said these marks were ‘superficial’.
She attended hospital on one occasion when she was concerned over a possible internal injury.
Although Disberry was convicted of five charges of rape, three of these were ‘specimen’ counts and together the offences represented an estimated 30 incidents.
Matthew Dunford, defending, said his client was of previous good character and referred to multiple written references attesting to the esteem he was held in.
Judge Rajeev Shetty, presiding, sentenced him to five years concurrent for each of four counts of rape plus seven years consecutive for a further offence, making a total sentence of 12 years in prison.
He gave Disberry 12 months in prison concurrent for the assault.
In addition, he served him with a restraining order and placed him on the sex offenders register.
The court heard his victim had suffered depression and anxiety and tried using alcohol ‘as a coping method’ following her ordeal but returned to good health after she went to the police and they arrested him.
Judge Shetty, sentencing Disberry, said: “It’s also a curious feature that you would often apologise.
“It’s a shame you haven’t demonstrated any similar remorse at trial or today.”
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/