A RAPE victim has urged others to come forward after a “nasty violent bully” was jailed for 20 years for raping her seven times.

Unemployed rapist Warren Manderson, 51, was locked up for a string of offences against a 47-year-old woman he knew.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, talked after the sentencing of finally seeing her abuser being brought to justice.

She said: "I am overjoyed to have gotten the justice that so many are afraid to fight for, but would like to assure all those women and men out there who are in or have been in a similar situation that it is never too late and that Sussex Police have supported me thoroughly throughout this whole event.

"There were times I felt I wanted to give up but it was the support of my family and friends that kept me going and for this I am forever grateful.

"Again I would like to assure those in abusive relationships that it is no longer acceptable and that you are not the ones making it happen.

“Just like me, you are and will be strong enough to get out of the situation, but need to speak up as too many of us hide behind fake smiles and pretend that everything is OK when truthfully it isn't."

Judge Scott-Gall, sentencing Manderson, described him as a “conceited, nasty violent bully” and characterised his actions as ''dreadful, grotesque, violent degradation, horrible cowardly things to do, consistent with the man that you have become. You have shown not a flicker of remorse and are a deceitful, vicious, violent liar”.

Detective Constable Naomi Morrison echoed the woman’s message in urging victims to come forward.

She said: "The victim was very brave first in disclosing to us this terrible sequence of events, which she had up to till then kept largely bottled up in her mind, and then giving the evidence against Manderson over several hours in court.

"We were able to reassure and support her throughout this process, ensuring that she was allowed to consider special measures whilst giving her evidence in court.

“However her bravery extended not only to giving evidence live in the court room, but without the additional benefit of screening between her and the defendant, stating that she wanted to regain control.”

Background

Warren Manderson, 51, unemployed, of Terrace Road, St Leonards, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on April 16, having been convicted by a unanimous jury verdict of seven rapes, an attempted rape, false imprisonment, actual bodily harm and two common assaults.

Police were called to Manderson's flat in October last year after he had gone out, locking the woman, who was in very distressed state, inside.

As police arrived and were forcing the door open Manderson re-appeared outside and was immediately arrested.

The woman then disclosed to detectives how she had been abused and sexually assaulted by Manderson over the previous two years.