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A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to nine-and-a-half years' imprisonment for raping a woman he met online three times.
David Andrew Sullivan was sentenced in the Royal Court this afternoon, following a jury trial in January.
He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 13 years and given a restraining order for an indefinite period.
Sullivan was arrested in March 2021 after his victim self-referred to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).
Sullivan was found guilty of three counts of rape by a unanimous jury after four hours and 49 minutes of deliberation on 13 January.
Giving evidence during the course of the trial, Sullivan's victim said that on one occasion he had put a pillow over her face, leaving her feeling "trapped".
She also alleged that he had "carved" her using a piercing needle, which Crown Advocate Simon Thomas had been done to "assert control" over her.
He had also watched her from a tree outside her home, and threatened to harm her family.
Examinations revealed multiple injuries which were consistent with being raped.
Detective Constable Jo Le Maistre said following the sentencing: “I hope this goes some way to reassure the public that we are committed to investigating and prosecuting all sexual violence perpetrators. The victim in this case has shown an immense amount of courage and patience during this process.
“Reporting a rape can be a terrifying experience. We need to do all we can to limit the trauma as much as possible and put victims at the heart of our police response. We are determined to ensure that victims who want to engage in the criminal justice process feel able to do so and are supported at every step.
"Additional support was also provided in this case by the Jersey Domestic Abuse Service.”
SARC at Dewberry House provides expert independent and confidential support to victims of sexual abuse. Tel: 01534 888222.
Jersey Action Against Rape (JAAR) provide and maintain a supporting framework for survivors and their families. Confidential helpline: 01534 482800.
Jersey Women’s Refuge offer help and support for victims of domestic abuse. Tel: 0800 7356836.
Victim Support offer free and confidential advice to victims of crime. Tel: 01534 440496.
Victims First Jersey is a free and independent service offering confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime. Tel: 0800 7351612.
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