David Morrison 44

Description

A convicted rapist who assaulted a woman after she refused sex with a man he had paid remains at large.

David Morrison, 44, was sentenced to ten years in prison in his absence at Teesside Crown Court on Friday (October 24) after failing to appear.

The victim had previously criticized the justice system for allowing him to walk free pending sentencing, despite his conviction by a jury. A warrant was issued earlier this month when he missed another hearing, and his whereabouts are unknown.

The court heard Morrison paid the man to have sex with the victim, telling him to "do what you want." When she refused, Morrison raped her.

In her victim impact statement, the mother described feeling ashamed and reduced to a shell of her former self, having lost her career and now suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Fighting back tears, she said: “He has turned my home into a prison and my body into something that I fear. He pushed me to the point of despair where I was ready to end my own life.”

She added that delays and inaction left her in constant fear, battling complex PTSD and nightmares. She previously told the Echo: "I feel like a prisoner — while he’s out living his life like nothing happened."

Morrison, of Wilton Castle Lane, Wilton, near Redcar, was found guilty of rape and assault by penetration. His defense noted he had no prior convictions and had waited years for trial.

Recorder Paul Reid imposed the sentence, stating: “I’m persuaded by the great distress experienced by the victim that it is appropriate to proceed to sentence so she can start to put this behind her.”

Morrison received a lifelong restraining order and must register as a sex offender for life.