Horror as teenager raped while she slept – sick attacker jailed | UK | News
A man who raped a teenage girl while she slept has been jailed. The victim realized she was in pain and experienced flashbacks after being attacked in her bed in the morning.
Joshua Downing, 21, carried out the attack at a home in Derby in June 2024. He initially denied raping the victim, who was a teenager at the time, but later admitted he did it. He was arrested shortly after being charged with rape and two counts of sexual assault by penetration. Downing, of Bartin Court, Mansfield, was sentenced to eight years and two months in prison at Derby Crown Court on Sunday, March 15.
Downing is heard raping the victim while she slept. She woke up in pain the next morning and experienced flashbacks of the attack as she drifted in and out of sleep.
Detective Constable Ellen Sanders, of Derbyshire Police, said the victim had “struggled to function normally” since being raped. The situation left him “deeply traumatised”, but the police officer hopes the sentence will give the victim “the strength to move forward”.
As well as being sentenced to eight years and two months in prison, Downing was ordered to register with the police and had a restraining order issued against his victim. Both orders will last indefinitely.
DC Sanders said: “The victim in the case has been deeply traumatized by Downing’s actions and has struggled to function normally since the rape almost two years ago.
“It’s been a long road for him and I want to thank him for his courage throughout our investigation and court proceedings.
“While it may not take away the emotional pain, seeing Downing punished and held accountable for his crimes will give him the strength to move forward.”
