Rape victim: I thought Oldham would kill me

Nov 11 2008 The Journal

A RAPE victim whose attacker is finally behind bars yesterday spoke of her nightmare ordeal.

Douglas Oldham was jailed for nine years and ordered to register as a sex offender for life after being convicted of rape after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

The former hotel porter had admitted charges of harassment and assaulting the same woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Speaking after the case yesterday, the victim said: “He told me he was going to kill me, that I would die that night and I honestly did not think I would see my mam again.

“That is all that went through my head – that I would not see my mam again.”

Jurors had heard how as well as raping his victim, Oldham butted her in the face, kicked and punched her and warned he would kill her.

He also wrapped flex round her neck, threatened to both cut off her fingers and pour boiling water over her, forced cloth into her mouth, broke her mobile phone and cut off the landline.

The 38-year-old attacker, living in Ovingham, Northumberland, at the time, but who later moved to Langhorn Close, Heaton, Newcastle, eventually left and attempted to set up a false alibi.

Passing sentence, Judge John Milford told him: “That rape was the final part of a prolonged course of conduct designed to terrify her and humiliate her.

“She suffered as a result very unpleasant physical injuries. I have no doubt she feared for her life. So far as the rape is concerned, you have demonstrated absolutely no remorse whatsoever.”

The judge praised the victim whom he described as a “very brave woman”.

The woman, who is in her 20s, had to give evidence from the witness box twice after a first trial was aborted following a defence application for further scientific evidence.

Speaking outside the court, she said: “It has been absolutely horrendous. I had to give evidence twice. The second time was definitely worse because I knew what questions I would be asked.

“But I would strongly advise people to go through with it. It is worth it in the end.”

The woman said she had had counselling to help her cope and praised the police and her family for their support. But she said she was still coming to terms with her traumatic experience.

She said: “He put flex round my neck, he had a kettle of boiling water and told me he would pour it over me. I had tea-towels rammed into my mouth and he had a knife. He had smashed my mobile phone and cut the landline.

“I cannot go out on my own, I have always got my mobile phone with me, I am always looking over my shoulder and I will move away when it comes to him getting out. I am quite happy with the sentence. I feel relieved it is all over and I can start to get on with things now.”