Karl Newson 28

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A rape victim has today revealed the devastating impact the sick attack had on her life

The woman has bravely opened her heart to talk about how sick sex offender Karl Paul Newson, from Northumberland, has had a massive impact on her life after his devastating attack. It took Newson's victim a year to find the courage to tell anyone what had happened to her.

Now thanks to her bravery Newson, 27, has been jailed for more than eight years after a jury found him guilty of rape. And today his victim, whose identity is protected by law, has told how she ended up missing out on her life because of Newson's vile actions.

She said: "I was getting in trouble as a result of what he did. It's ruined a big part of my life. I don't go out, all my curtains are always closed and I don't answer the door."

But it was not until the following year that she was able to tell her mum.

"I waited a while then reported it," she said. "Me and my mam were having a chat and it just came out. I just told her, it was a relief and I went to the police the next day. It did help massively."

But Newson, of Morven Terrace, Ashington, denied the offence, meaning his victim had to go through a trial before seeing him convicted.

A jury at Newcastle Crown Court found him guilty of one count of rape. And last month he was jailed for eight-and-a-half years, given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention order, and an indefinite Restraining Order..

Det Con John Harland, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, led the investigation.

He has today praised the victim for helping to put Newson behind bars, and urged others suffering in silence to come forward.

He said: “Firstly, and most importantly, I’d like to offer my thanks to the victim for her bravery and courage throughout the entirety of this case.

“Coming forward, having to re-live those experiences and contribute as part of a trial and court proceedings was not easy, however her bravery and desire for justice ultimately won.

“I want to thank her for her dignity and her compassion for others and wholeheartedly hope that this sentence gives her a sense of peace. This case shows that it is never too late to speak up and that justice is possible, no matter how much time has passed.

“If you’ve been suffering in silence, now is the time to speak up – justice can and will be served.”