Stockton man jailed for 24 years for domestic abuse and sex offences

A man from Stockton has been jailed for 24 years for 14 offences related to assault, sexual assault, rape, and domestic abuse.

39-year-old James White, of St Michael’s Crescent in Stockton, was sentenced on the 20th of August.

On the 30th of November last year, police started an investigation following a 999 call at 1:08pm. A relative of the victim called to told them that she had been attacked by White, that he had a knife, and he was still in the house.

The victim had called the relative to let him know she was in danger. White then fled the address. She had bruising over her face and other injuries to her back and torso.

The victim said that White had threatened her with a knife before she reported that she was in danger and that he had also used it to cut her on her abdomen.

White was found by police in a pub half an hour later and was arrested.

Further enquiries by officers found that, over the course of five weeks between the 17th of October and the 30th of November 2025, White had been involved in a pattern of violent and abusive behaviour against the victim. This included rape and sexual assault.

White pleaded not guilty to the charges at court, but on the 9th of June 2026, the jury found him guilty of all offences.

The list of charges that White was found guilty for were:

• Two counts of rape of a woman over 16

• Assault of a female 13 and over by penetration with body part

• Engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in a relationship

• Five counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm

• Two counts of threatening a person with a knife in a private place

• Threats to kill

• Two counts of intentional strangulation

Investigating officer DC Cairns of the Domestic Abuse and RASSO team said “The victim escaped the cycle of abuse by having the courage to tell a family member it was taking place – at which point we were called and were able to take action against her abuser."

“Over the course of five weeks, James White subjected the victim to a campaign of horrific abuse, violence and sexual assaults."

“She showed remarkable bravery and courage in speaking to me about the offences committed against her."

“White has now been sentenced to 24 years in prison, preventing him from posing a risk to the victim and others."

“While nothing can undo the harm caused, we hope this sentence offers her some comfort and reassurance that justice has been served."

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

• warwickshire police
• domestic abuse
• sexual assault