Nottingham rapist jailed after victim reported attacks to police
Marcus Bennett was sentenced to 13 years behind bars
A Nottingham man has been jailed for 13 years after being convicted of raping a woman who reported the attacks to police months later.
Marcus Bennett, 44, was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of two counts of rape following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
The victim first came into contact with police on 29th September last year after reporting threatening messages she had received from Bennett.
While discussing the messages with officers, she disclosed she had been raped by Bennett three months earlier after he tricked his way into her home.
She also reported two further occasions when she said he raped her while she was asleep.
Bennett denied the allegations
Bennett denied the allegations during his police interview.
According to Nottinghamshire Police, when asked whether a person could consent to sex while asleep, Bennett initially said he did not know before later saying they could not.
He also told officers he became “vexed” if sex was denied and claimed he had not seen the victim at the time of the offences.
Police later recovered photo evidence which contradicted his account.
During the two-week trial, jurors heard the victim had told her mother about the first rape and had sent her pictures showing bruising, but had been too frightened to report the matter to police at the time.
Bennett was cleared of a third rape charge, while an additional charge under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 was left to lie on file.
Sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court
Bennett, of Radcliffe Road, Nottingham, was sentenced on Tuesday 19th May.
As well as being jailed for 13 years, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register and handed a restraining order banning him from contacting the victim.
Detective Constable Abigail Dorricott, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Like many victims of serious sexual offences, the victim in this case was concerned that she would not be believed if she came forward and told the police.
“As this case demonstrates, we take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and will leave no stone unturned in getting to the truth.
“When presented with the very compelling account of the victim and the other very strong evidence against Bennett, the jury in this case were clear in their verdict.
“I am delighted for the victim that justice has now been done and pleased that Bennett can pose no further threat to her or other women.”