Jail for death threat rapist

A Shrewsbury rapist who bit a woman on the face and goaded her by saying "you will never get me for this" has been jailed for more than five years.

Gary Thorne, 21, of Mount Pleasant Road, Shrewsbury, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court today.

He was sentenced to five years and six months in jail for the rape on December 5, 2006. He was also jailed for three months for witness intimidation between May 29 and June 2 last year and ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

He had denied both charges, saying the sex was consensual, but was found guilty by a jury at an earlier hearing.

The court was told that on December 5, 2006, Thorne left C21 nightclub in Abbey Foregate with the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons. The pair walked towards Castle Walk where he raped his victim on a bench.

Sentencing Thorne, Judge Paul Glenn said: "You subjected this woman to a terrifying experience. Witnesses heard her screaming but you had your hand over her mouth to stop her shouting out. You said you were going to kill her and bit her on the face. She was very deeply upset."

Mrs Joanne Griffiths, for Thorne, told the court that he and members of his family had written to the judge explaining that the situation was "difficult". She said her client was immature.

Acting Detective Inspector Scott Harris, one of the investigating officers, welcomed the outcome

He said: "Thorne used threats and intimidation to try and frighten the victim into not giving evidence. I hope this case will encourage victims to come forward in the knowledge that they will be believed."