A rapist has been jailed for more than 10 years after subjecting his victim to a traumatic ordeal which left her with fractures to her face.
Raymond Paternoster, of Old Durham Road, Gateshead, was jailed for a total of 10-and-a-half years at Newcastle Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of four counts of rape and three counts of assault occasioning ABH.
The court was told how the 58-year-old carried out the vicious attacks on his victim last November.
A victim impact statement read out in court gave a detailed account of the injuries Paternoster’s victim was left with following the violent assaults including a fractured face and head-to-toe bruises.
It also spoke of the emotional and mental impact the ordeal has caused. It read: “As well as the physical injuries are the mental injuries; for weeks after I had trouble sleeping due to nightmares of reliving the rapes and beatings.
“As time has gone on I am coping better, I do feel stronger, although some of the thoughts I have will never fully go away.
“When I am at home I do feel scared, I still find myself looking over my shoulder frightened that someone will come after me.
“I would say that on the upside I have experienced a lot of support especially from the police officers who dealt with the case.”
Paternoster, who was sentenced on September 26, will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Following the case, investigating officer Detective Constable Paul Challoner, of the Rape Investigation Team, said: “I would firstly like to praise the bravery and strength of the victim for coming forward and giving evidence.
“This was a shocking case and we are pleased Paternoster is now behind bars.
“We know that no prison sentence will take away the painful memories Paternoster has left his victim with but we will do everything in our power to ensure offenders who commit these truly awful crimes are brought to justice.
“Abuse and violence of any kind will not be tolerated and we are committed to ensuring victims receive the support they need.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the officers for their hard work in this case and helping to ensure a dangerous individual is now in prison.”
