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A man who raped a woman while she was having a seizure has been jailed for nine years.
Steven Catlow had offered to walk the woman home from a gathering at a house in Peterlee on Christmas Day in 2019.
On the way home, the woman suffered a seizure and fell on the ground behind a row of shops in Peterlee.
As she came round, she realised 32-year-old Catlow was raping her as she lay face down in a muddy patch of grass.
The woman called police later that evening and an investigation was launched by Durham Constabulary.
The case took several years to come to court as Catlow had initially lied about what happened. But when his DNA was found in the woman’s underwear, he changed his story to say that consensual sex had taken place.
However, a jury sitting at Durham Crown Court found Catlow guilty of rape and he was jailed for nine years on Monday (August 12).
In a victim impact statement, the woman said: “I have consistently had to keep re-living what happened - I tried so hard to forget about it all, but it was constant, having to experience flashbacks every time I spoke about it.
“Because of his actions, I now don’t go out with friends, I don’t feel comfortable being out and socialising. I am constantly looking over my shoulder thinking the worst is going to happen.
“My mental health has been up and down constantly since that day. I can never look at Christmas Day the same again – he has ruined this day for me for the rest of my life.
“I even look at myself differently – truthfully, I look at myself and just see myself as someone to be used. I lost all respect for myself. Because of what he did to me that Christmas Day, nearly five years ago, I will never be the same again.”
Detective Sergeant Erica Kilburn, who led the investigation, said: “Catlow’s actions on that day were abhorrent – he preyed on a woman who was physically not in a position to help herself.
“He is a dangerous predator who abused the woman’s trust and took advantage of her in the most horrific way.
“I’d like to commend the woman who has shown incredible resilience and strength of character throughout this protracted investigation and court case. She was not thrown by Catlow’s lack of remorse, and I hope this result goes some way to alleviate the pain she has suffered over these past few years.
“I am pleased that Catlow is now behind bars and unable to harm anyone else. This result sends a strong message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated, and any reports will be rigorously pursued.”