A Hammersmith man who raped and assaulted a woman has been jailed for 12 years.
Ashley Barton committed one count of assault by beating and two counts of rape in 2020 and 2021 against a woman in her 30s.
At various stages of legal proceedings, courts heard Barton punched her in the face for no reason, causing the victim to suffer a black eye and fear for her life.
He was said to have shown no remorse for his crimes.
The 37-year-old, of Hammersmith, was sentenced for two counts of rape and one count of assault by beating at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday.
Barton was originally tried in November, and the jury were unable to reach a verdict on the rape offences but he was convicted of assault by beating. Then, after a retrial in May, he was found guilty of two counts of rape.
Judge HHJ Duncan said: “You gas-lighted and insulted her and her self-confidence is in tatters because of you. You are manipulative and lack insight both then and now. You display an entrenched form of misogyny in your past and in your current behaviour.”
The Metropolitan Police said the remorseless Barton on several occasions when giving his evidence in court referred to himself as the victim - claiming the woman was the abuser.
Barton was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must inform police of all intimate relationships he enters into for the rest of his life. He will also be on the sex offenders’ register for life.
PC Sol Bhugaloo, who supported the victim throughout the investigation, said: "It is my sincere hope that the bravery shown by the victim in this case will encourage all victims of sexual violence of any kind to speak to us.”
