[A] MAN who raped a young mother and repeatedly punched her as she cradled a six-week-old baby in her arms has been jailed.
Scott Findlay subjected his victim to a “prolonged and harrowing” attack in front of her two young children.
Today, at York Crown Court, Judge Simon Hickey sent the 27-year-old, from Ferryhill, in County Durham, to prison for 15 years for offences including rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and threats to kill.
The court heard that the victim pleaded with Findlay, who was armed with a kitchen knife, for her children to be prevented from seeing the attack.
Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable Katrina Meisuria, of Durham Constabulary’s Safeguarding Unit, praised the victim for her courage in giving evidence.
She said: “Scott Findlay subjected his victim to a prolonged, harrowing and violent attack in front of her two young children.
“It took great bravery by the victim to provide evidence at court reliving those events again.
“There is no doubt these crimes have had a life-changing effect on the victim and her children, but the conviction will provide the family with the opportunity to move forward”.
In a statement released through the police, the victim said: “This has been an extremely difficult time for me and my family.
“The incidents occurred only six weeks after the birth of my daughter who was in my arms as Scott Finlay repeatedly punched me about the head and my seven-year-old looked on in terror begging for him to stop hurting his mammy.
“No child should ever have to witness such an attack”.
She added: “My family and I are pleased with the outcome and relieved it is finally over and we can move forward to rebuilding our life”.
After a four-day trial at Durham Crown Court in May, a jury found Findlay guilty of three counts of rape, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of making threats to kill.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and criminal damage.
