Carlos Cope 26

Description

A Coventry rapist has been jailed for 13 years after his teenage victim revealed a catalogue of offences described as sickening by the police. Carlos Cope, 24, had been in a relationship with the woman but his behaviour became controlling to the point where he was managing her finances and questioning who she was seeing.

Cope began using her money to buy drugs and checking her phone to see who shed been in contact with. The situation came to a head in June last year when Cope became violent towards the young woman and her sister.

He punched her and dragged her along the floor by her hair. Although police were called, she decided not to take the matter further.

However, the following month Cope, of Westminster Road, Spon End, launched his most brutal and disturbing attack. After checking her texts, he punched, her, bit her arms and smashed a lamp on her head repeatedly. In the wake of this the victim disclosed what had happened to West Midlands Polices specialist domestic abuse team.

Detective Constable Jonathan Barker, from West Midlands Polices Public Protection Unit, said: The details of the attack are too sickening to share. It is enough to say the young woman was defiled in the most humiliating way.

I applaud her bravery in bringing this prosecution and ensuring that other women are safe from Cope for some years to come.

Cope was found guilty of rape and assault after a week-long trial and sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on Friday (July 15) where he was also given a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim or her sister. He will also remain on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

In the wake of Copes sentencing, West Midlands Police has urged anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse or coercive control to come forward.

A force spokesman said: If you are a victim of coercive control or domestic abuse, we have specially trained officers who can help you. We work with a number of other agencies and charities who can support you.