'Life changed forever' - Victim tells jailed Gateshead rapist of impact of his brutal crime

A "beast" who raped a woman after she asked him to help her move some rubbish has been jailed for nine years.

William Flamson assisted with the heavy bags then launched an attack that has left the victim traumatised.

In an impact statement, read out at Newcastle Crown Court today, the woman branded Flamson a "horrible, dirty beast" and said he has ruined her previously "brilliant" life.

She added: "My life changed forever on that day. While I'm now trying to rebuild my life it won't be the same."

The woman said she can no longer do the things she wants to do, fears going out alone and has nightmares. She said after the attack she scrubbed herself clean and added: "I scrubbed myself until my skin was raw."

Flamson, 41, of Saint Cuthberts Court, Gateshead, who has previous convictions for domestic abuse, denied rape but was convicted by a jury after a trial, where the victim gave evidence against him.

Judge Roger Thomas KC said probation officials have assessed Flamson as having a "negative attitude to women" and a "desire to exert power and control over them", with attitudes linked to "male privilege".

Judge Thomas said: "In my judgement, the probation service are utterly right."

The judge said the attack was "brutal and nasty" and left the victim with severe psychological harm.

Flamson, who was a daily user of drink and drugs, claimed during the trial that the victim not only consented but initiated what happened, which the judge said was "ludicrous".

He now must sign the sex offenders register for life.