Locations
Barton Court, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18
Description
A man who raped a young woman while she slept, has been jailed.
Joshua Downing raped the woman, who was in her late teens, while she was asleep.
The following morning the woman noticed she was in pain and experienced flashbacks of Downing, who was known to her, raping her as she drifted in and out of sleep.
Downing, of Barton Court, Mansfield, initially denied the attack that took place at an address in Derby in June 2024 before going on to admit it to the victim and her family.
The 21-year-old was arrested shortly after the rape and subsequently charged to appear at court.
He admitted charges of rape, sexual assault (x2), and assault by penetration during a hearing at Derby Crown Court on 29 January this year.
On 15 March, at the same court, a judge sentenced Downing to eight years and two months’ imprisonment.
He was also ordered to register with police and issued a restraining order in respect of his victim.
Both orders will last indefinitely.
Detective Constable Ellen Sanders, officer in the case, said:
“The victim in the case has been deeply traumatised by Downing’s actions and has struggled to function normally since the rape happened almost two years ago.
“It has been a long road for her, and I want to thank her for her courage, during our investigation and the court process.
“While it can’t take away the emotional anguish, I hope that seeing Downing sentenced and held accountable for his offences will allow her the strength to move forward.”