A woman has detailed the psychological distress she has experienced after a man from Cornwall attempted to rape her and sexually assaulted her. The victim said she has suffered greatly as a result of 31-year-old Daniel Thomas’ actions.
Thomas, of Thornton Close, Roche, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing today (January 3) after he was found guilty by a jury at a trial to one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault.
In sentencing the case, Judge Simon Carr described how the victim had told Thomas that she did not want to have sex with him but he “totally ignored this” because at the time “you only cared about your gratification and didn’t care about the harm you caused”.
In a victim impact statement read out to the court, the victim described how Thomas’ actions have left her “scarred” physically and mentally. Since the assault by Thomas, she said her self-harming has increased.
She added: “[Self harming] has become a protective blanket. If men see me like this, they won’t find me attractive. I know there is nothing to be ashamed of and discussing mental health is important but one day I will have to explain to my children why I look like this.”
The victim also said in her statement that she had to “relive my abuse all over again” during the trial which made her “feel sick”.
Judge Carr said the effect Thomas’ actions have had on the victim and those around her have been “devastating”. He added that while she is trying to move on with her life, the “psychological damage” on her is clear.
Thomas was sentenced to a total of six years imprisonment. He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for life and will be made subject to a restraining order.
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