Description
A woman who waited over eight years for her rapist to be jailed said the criminal justice system left her "unheard and ignored."
The victim, a mother of two who cannot be named, reported the rape in 2017. Her attacker, Allan Peyton, 45, was sentenced today to five years at Worcester Crown Court for rape and assault by penetration.
She described her "continuous battle for justice" as leaving her "hopeless and abandoned."
The court heard Peyton entered her home in the early hours of May 7, 2017, and raped her while intoxicated. She reported it to West Mercia Police the next day.
Delays stemmed from a poor police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) initially declining to charge due to insufficient evidence before reversing the decision, and shortages of courts and staff. Peyton was convicted in July, but sentencing was postponed three times since summer.
The CPS stated: "We recognise the profound impact delays can have on victims and this is why we are taking action by working closely with police colleagues to help build the strongest case from the outset.
"Whilst in recent years this has led to a reduction in the time taken between the CPS receiving a file and making a charging decision, we know there is still more to do and that is why last week we launched our new strategy for Violence Against Women and Girls."
Ch Supt Edd Williams of West Mercia Police said: "We expect a high standard for investigations and support to survivors and if someone feels we have fallen below this we encourage them to talk to us through our complaints process so we can learn and improve.
"We hope today's sentencing can finally bring some form of closure."