Locations
Glebelands, Cheriton Bishop, Exeter, Devon, EX6
Description
A Devon man has been jailed for raping a woman in a field. Jack Frankum asked the woman for a lift home from an agricultural event.
When she stopped to urinate in the remote location he sexually assaulted and then raped her. The 28-year-old, from Cheriton Bishop, denied the offence but was found guilty at the end of a trial at Exeter Crown Court.
He has been sentenced to eight years in prison. The victim said memories of her ordeal were like a "horrible shadow" following her.
Frankum will serve two thirds of the eight years in prison, with the remainder on licence.
The offences took place one evening in August 2019. The court heard how the victim had pleaded with him to stop. She described how, after the offences, Frankum had acted like nothing had happened and tried to make small talk and unrelated conversation. In police interviews she said the ordeal had left her feeling worthless and frightened of Frankum.
She said: "I find it hard to put into words how strongly I feel about this. I hate him and the mark he had left upon me."
Ms Virginia Cornwall, defending, said it had not been a planned assault and he was a man of previous good character.
Judge Anna Richardson said friends of Frankum had described him as polite and courteous and a valued member of the community.
Following the sentencing the police case officer, DC Craig Ferguson, said: “This has been a very lengthy and detailed police investigation, which has seen some delays in the courts whilst we awaited trial.
“I wish to acknowledge the courage and fortitude of the victim in remaining committed to this case, and her path to justice throughout this investigation and the delay that we have seen.
“I also wish to pay personal tribute to the victim, and her absolute strength in attending court to give her evidence at the trial.
“I acknowledge that this was incredibly difficult for her given what Frankum had done. It is only through the victim’s strength throughout this process that we have seen this result, and I hope that she can now move forward in her life with her family in the knowledge that she has seen some justice for what he did to her.