Rapist tortured ex partner for two days

A rapist who spent two days sexually torturing his ex-girlfriend has been jailed for 19 years.

Paul Thomas, 49, terrorised the victim and forced her to submit to him.

He turned up at her home in Penge, south London, on November 7, 2019 and spend the next 48 hours violently and sexually assaulting her.

During the ordeal Thomas threatened to kill the woman and strangled her until she lost consciousness.

She managed to call 999 and Thomas was arrested as he left the address.

Croydon Crown Court heard the pair met in 2017 following the death of Thomas’ wife, which left him as a single father.

He exploited his victim’s kindness and used his bereavement to emotionally blackmail her.

Thomas repeatedly raped her and physically abused her by throwing her down the stairs, pulling her hair and punching her in the stomach.

He tracked her via her phone and threatened her and her family if she left him.

The victim spoke to police officers in Eltham on 27 December, telling them that he accused her of having an affair and assaulted her,

But she did not press charges because she was fearful of what would happen to his children.

She became so scared that she secretly recorded him picking arguments and accusing her of cheating on him.

The victim also took some photos of her injuries and filmed him as he tried to prevent her from driving away.

Thomas spent 11 days denying his violence and sexual abuse but was convicted by the jury.

Detective Constable Nichola Buckley, the investigating officer, said: ‘Thomas allowed the victim to believe she was living in a happy relationship until he increasingly coerced her into an ever more submissive role.

‘He went on to abuse her mentally, physically and controlled her through fear. She submitted to him in bed – this is not consent – she was not free to say no.

‘I want to praise the victim for the courage and strength she showed to fully assist the police in obtaining this conviction and ensuring this dangerous man has now been put behind bars.

‘Thomas is a highly dangerous individual who had been quite rightly jailed for a significant period of time.

He subjected the victim to significant violence and has shown no remorse for his actions.’

Thomas was found guilty of eight counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, threats to kill, actual bodily harm and coercive controlling behaviour.

Thomas, of Sidcup, Kent, was sentenced to 19 years imprisonment, made subject to Notification Requirements for life and issued with a Restraining Order.