Gateshead rapist is sentenced to almost a decade behind bars
Northumbria Police have called John Quinn is an "extremely dangerous man"
John Quinn, 30, raped a woman at an address in Gateshead.
He did this after first sexually assaulting her whilst she lay immobile and defenceless in bed – having recently been involved in a car accident which left her unable to move.
After the assault, Quinn told the victim: ‘you look beautiful when you’re crying’.
The victim came forward and reported the abuse to police, and Quinn was subsequently arrested.
The next day, Quinn, of Barford Court, Gateshead, was charged with a number of offences related to the abuse.
Following a six-day trial in June at Newcastle Crown Court, Quinn was found unanimously guilty by a jury of two offences – one count rape and one count of sexual assault.
After the trial concluded, Quinn was remanded into custody.
And today (Wednesday), he attended the same court where he was given an eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence.
The victim wrote a statement to be read aloud in court about how the abuse had permanent implications on her life. She said:
“The impact of his abuse continues to negatively impact my life. He’s ripped everything away from me.
“I am always fearful of driving to see my family or walking anywhere close by – and feel as though I am constantly looking over my shoulder, fearing for my safety and for my life.
“I wish I could lock myself away and never have to leave my home again, it is the only place I feel safe.
“Quinn has stripped away all of my confidence and has destroyed every inch of me. I used to be such a bubbly, outgoing person and I am not like that anymore. I am very quiet and constantly live my life in fear.”
She continued:
“I feel I have been given a life sentence. I live with the trauma he has given me every day and know this will stay with me for the rest of my life. I jump at every closing car door; I can't answer my own front door without being fearful; and I become fearful when I receive calls from unknown numbers.
“I am constantly on guard just waiting for the worst to happen. I am not living, I am surviving. He has destroyed my past, present and future. He has destroyed my identity.
“He has destroyed me.”
Quinn will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was handed lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention and restraining orders to protect the victim
In charge of the case was Police Constable Graham Mason, of Northumbria Police’s Rape Investigation Team (RIT).
Speaking after Quinn’s sentencing, he said:
“John Quinn is an extremely dangerous man who has committed some of the most horrendous crimes someone can go through.
“I’d like to thank the victim for her bravery and conviction throughout this entire process, and I hope after the sentencing today she may be able to start to move forward and re-build her life.
"No-one should ever have to experience this type of abuse – but her resolve and determination to bring her offender to justice should truly be commended.”