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A "dangerous offender" has been jailed for 20 years for the rape of a woman in north Wales. Thomas Goodier, 25, of St Helens, Merseyside, had been found guilty of two counts committed in Conwy county.
As well as the jail term, Judge Timothy Petts also handed Goodier an extended licence of seven years at Caernarfon Crown Court. The judge praised the victim for her bravery in giving evidence to the police and being cross-examined in court: "You are going to need a lot of love, help and support,” he told the court.
Judge Petts told Goodier, who showed no emotion in a video link from prison that he was “a dangerous offender.” The court heard he maintained his innocence.
Speaking after sentencing, DC Bev Humphreys from Central Division Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit said: "I welcome the sentence today which I hope allows the victim and their family to focus now on positively re-building their future. The victim has shown incredible bravery throughout.
"The investigation and sentence should send a message that whilst we recognise that any form of violence is unacceptable, anyone who wants to target and commit sexual offences against women or children in particular should know that we will be thorough, we will persevere, and we will bring you to justice.
"I would also like to thank partners at the Crown Prosecution Service, who we have worked hard with us to make north Wales safer by putting Thomas Goodier behind bars."
Lifetime sex offenders’ and sexual harm prevention orders were also imposed on Goodier.