A man who raped his former partner in a ‘sickening’ attack has been jailed for 10 years.
Richard Summers, 35, from Highbury launched a cocaine-fuelled assault on the woman at her home on March 4, a court heard.
Summers, who had a long history of dangerous assaults and violence towards his ex-partner, was convicted of rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and coercive and controlling behaviour.
Police were called to a pub in Highbury Barn by a member of the public who saw the victim injured and in distress.
She told officers that Summers entered her bedroom while under the influence of cocaine and forced her to have sex with him, the sentencing hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court heard on Thursday.
The victim attempted to fight back but Summers remained forceful, repeatedly punching her in the face and hitting her over the head with a glass ashtray. She was able to escape only when Summers fell asleep.
Detective Constable Max Orange, who led the investigation, said: “Summers is a predatory offender, who traumatised and abused his ex-partner in a sickening way. We are certain that he posed a real danger to other women who may have come into contact with.
“I’d like to thank the dedicated team of officers who left no stone unturned in their relentless pursuit of Summers - and I hope yesterday’s sentencing serves as a reflection of our commitment to bringing predators to justice and protecting women and girls in our city.”
During interviews with police, Summers lied throughout. He claimed the victim sustained her injuries from riding her bike into a lamppost and asserted that he had never raped her, further showing his lack of remorse for the crimes he had committed.
Summers was brought to trial on Monday, 4 September and pleaded guilty to assault. After a seven day trial the jury were sent out to consider verdicts for the remaining offences.
After approximately 8 hours of deliberation, they returned guilty verdicts for rape and coercive and controlling behaviour.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley, public protection lead for Islington added: “Summers is clearly a very dangerous individual and I’m pleased that he has been brought to justice.”
