A man has been jailed for six years after he was caught trying to rape a ‘drunk and vulnerable’ woman on CCTV.
Sentencing Damien Daniel Marriott, of Justice Street, Macclesfield, Judge Roger Dutton said the only reason he didn’t rape his victim was because he ‘couldn’t perform’, but that his intent was evident.
He said: “The reality is it was your inability to create an erection rather than your inability to control her that saved her from rape.”
He added: “Rape is a nasty offence. This has had a profound impact on your victim and the group of people you were part of.
“CCTV footage plainly shows you repeatedly try to have sex with her without her consent. If you had the courage to admit it in light of the overwhelming evidence I could give you credit but you failed to take responsibility, saying she was encouraging everything. It was ludicrous.
“It will take a long time to rebuild the respect of others and your own self respect.”
Marriott, 35, was found guilty of attempted rape after a trial at Chester Crown Court.
The court heard how he repeatedly tried to have sex with his victim while they were alone.
CCTV caught Marriott putting his arms around his victim and his victim refusing his advances. Footage then showed him repeatedly restrain her and attempt to rape her on a table.
The victim said in a statement read on her behalf that she has been suffering from nightmares and is scared to leave the house.
Prosecutor Simon Mills said the victim was vulnerable because she was drunk. He read her statement which said she can no longer sleep in the dark or with the bedroom door shut.
She said: “I wake hourly and have strange dreams and nightmares. I keep thinking about the incident. I’ve not been able sleep for ages and can’t go out on my own. It puts extra pressure on my friends who come to my house. I don’t like being outside the house and get anxious when I go in the kitchen. It’s really affected my life and work.”
Defending, Sarah Morgan said: “We accept that custody must follow but I ask that he’s given the opportunity to rebuild his life and be a serving member of the community in as short a time as possible.”
Speaking after the hearing, Sergeant Deborah Morgan, of Cheshire Police, said: “I would like to thank the victim and her family for remaining strong and courageous throughout the trial and want to encourage others who have been a victim of this crime to come forward and speak to us.”
