Man who raped woman jailed for 13 years

A man who raped and controlled a woman has been jailed for 13 years.

James Goulding, 35, of Talke, Newcastle-under-Lyme, was found guilty following an earlier trial of the rape of a woman and engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 11 December), made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the next 20 years, put on the Sex Offenders Register and served with a restraining order against the survivor.

The abuse happened in Staffordshire between December last year and March this year.

After the survivor bravely came forward and told us what happened, we arrested Goulding and brought him in for questioning. He denied all of the offences but we were able to build all of the evidence needed to secure charges and take him to court.

Despite continuing to plead his innocence, the bravery of the survivor and the strength of our evidence meant that the jury deemed Goulding guilty on two counts.

DC Helena Cresswell, from our rape and serious sexual offences unit, said: “Goulding inflicted a campaign of abuse on the survivor and has been rightfully brought to justice for his heinous crimes.

“I hope this shows survivors of sexual offences that we are taking action every single day in Staffordshire against those responsible.”

If you’re a survivor and you feel ready to talk to us, call 101 or use Live Chat on our website.