'Remorseful' Bristol rapist jailed for three years

A REMORSEFUL rapist who faced up to what he had done to spare his victim a trial has been jailed for three years.

Jack Drake, 24, of Beaconsfield Road, Barton Hill, pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to rape in May last year.

Judge Martin Picton told a sobbing Drake: "You know what a terrible crime it was you committed. Your victim has been seriously harmed by it."

Drake was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely.

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David Scutt, prosecuting, said Drake appeared to be very drunk after he was invited to the woman's home and ended up staying overnight.

Mr Scutt said: "She woke up to find the defendant on top of her, raping her.

"She resisted him but he continued for a few minutes."

Drake left after the assault and the victim texted a friend at 4am, saying: "I can't believe this happened to me.

"I woke up and he was on top of me. I feel disgusted."

When Drake was arrested nearly a month afterwards he gave police a prepared statement saying the woman consented and he offered no further comment.

Mr Scutt told the court police retrieved one of his text messages to a friend, in which he said he was "out of his face", he had been told he had forced himself on a woman and he hadn't known until he was told.

He also said he felt angry and ashamed.

Police scrutinised his internet browsing history and found that, after the attack, he browsed several subjects including hearing voices whilst drunk, schizophrenia helpline, free legal help in rape and reporting rape to police.

He also researched legal aid in Bristol, Bristol solicitors, the sex offenders' list, rape while drunk and a sleepwalk rape case.

Mr Scutt described the victim as "traumatised" and she engaged with the criminal justice process willingly, but reluctantly.

Edward Burgess, defending, said his client had a history of severe anxiety and major depressive episodes but other than cannabis use was a man of good previous character.

He said what happened may have occurred through bravado or misguided flirtation. Drake had been off cannabis for a week, and had celebrated by drinking too much, the court heard.

Mr Burgess said: "He came to see me in conference and he was very quiet and rather gentle.

"The next morning I opened up an email from him. He said he was sorry for being emotional, saying: 'The reason is I did it. I'm upset. I don't want it on my conscience. I don't want to put her through it'."