Jersey Police have praised the “immense courage” of a woman who came forward and gave hours of evidence about the attacks and sexual abuse she had suffered at the hands of a man over a number of years – leading to him being given a nearly decade-long jail sentence.

David Nigel Pearce (41) was convicted last year of two rape counts and two assault charges following a 10-day trial in the Royal Court. He was found not guilty of three further charges.

After an attempt to appeal his conviction was thrown out last month, he was sentenced yesterday to nine years and six months’ imprisonment – but maintained his innocence until the end, reading a letter to the court claiming that it was “something I haven’t done”.

“Immense courage”

“The complainant showed immense courage in coming forward and giving a number of hours live evidence in court,” DC Verity Thomas said following the hearing.

While the attacks had had a “significant impact” on the victim’s life, DC Thomas said that she hoped that the woman would hopefully begin to recover from the “ordeal”.

The Royal Court heard yesterday that Pearce raped the woman when she was in a vulnerable state and assaulted her by strangling and kicking her.

Crown Advocate Simon Thomas, prosecuting, described how Pearce grabbed the woman’s throat and forced himself on her sexually.

“She resisted and fought back as much as she could,” he said. “He was bigger and stronger than she was.”

Victim suffered PTSD

The woman told the jury during the trial that she felt “disgusted” after the rapes.

On one occasion, he told her that her genitals belonged to him in response to her protests, and that she “loved what was happening”.

He described how Pearce told the woman that she “loved what was happening” and she had told the jury in her trial that she felt “disgusted” after the rapes.

During the first of the two assaults, Pearce “placed his hands firmly around her throat” and shoved her, the court heard.

On another occasion, he kicked her to the “stomach and chest area”. After she asked him to leave, he kicked her again and left the room.

“He grabbed [the woman’s] throat and held her there,” Advocate Thomas said.

The woman was found to have abrasions on the chest and forearm, tenderness on the back of the head, and bruising to her wrists and fingers.

The prosecution asked for an 11-year sentence.

The woman had symptoms of PTSD, the court heard, though the defence argued that these could be caused in part by other traumatic events.

“I will have to serve my time…”

Advocate Paul Nicholls, defending, argued that the psychology report should be treated with “considerable caution”.

He said that more than 100 character references had been supplied to the court and highlighted a “strong family network”, with many attending the court to support Pearce.

Representing himself in court with the assistance of Advocate Nicholls, Pearce read out a letter in which he continued to deny the offences, saying: “I can’t in good conscience plead guilty to something I haven’t done.”

He added: “I will have to serve my time but I am confident that I will become a valuable member of society upon release.”

“The States of Jersey Police will listen”

Following his conviction in March last year, DC Thomas said she was “sickened by Pearce’s abhorrent behaviour and the pain he has caused”.

After yesterday’s sentencing, she reminded islanders of the police’s commitment to protecting the community from the perpetrators of these “horrific crimes”.

“The States of Jersey Police will listen, investigate, and with partner agencies, provide support to victims,” DC Thomas added.

“The victim was supported by Independent Sexual Violence Advisors during the victim’s right to review process and the subsequent Court proceedings.”

Commissioner Alan Binnington was presiding. The Jurats were Austin-Vautier, Le Heuzé, Opfermann, Entwistle and Berry.