A man has been jailed after raping a teenager while she slept. The victim noticed she was in pain and experienced flashbacks the morning after being attacked in her bed.
Joshua Downing, 21, carried out the attack at a home in Derby in June 2024. He initially denied raping the victim, who was in her late teens at the time, but later admitted what he had done. He was arrested shortly after before being charged with rape and two counts of sexual assault by penetration. Downing, of Bartin Court, Mansfield, was jailed for eight years and two months at Derby Crown Court on Sunday, March 15.
It was heard that Downing raped the victim while she was asleep. She woke up the following morning in pain and had flashbacks of the attack while she drifted in and out of sleep.
Detective Constable Ellen Sanders, officer in the case from Derbyshire Police, said the victim has “struggled to function normally” since being raped. It has left her “deeply traumatised”, but the police officer hopes the sentencing will give the victim “strength to move forward”.
As well as his eight years and two months prison sentence, Downing was ordered to register with the police and issued a restraining order in respect of his victim. Both orders will last indefinitely.
DC Sanders said: “The victim in the case has been deeply traumatised by Downing’s actions and has struggled to function normally since the rape happened almost two years ago.
“It has been a long road for her, and I want to thank her for her courage, during our investigation and the court process.
“While it can’t take away the emotional anguish, I hope that seeing Downing sentenced and held accountable for his offences will allow her the strength to move forward.”