'Heinous' rapist plied teenage girl with drugs
Northumbria PoliceA "heinous" rapist who attacked a teenage girl has been jailed for 14 years.
Anthony Toward, 37, plied his victim with drugs and alcohol before sexually abusing her, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
The girl told the court she felt "hatred and disgust" for Toward and could never forgive him, while judge Julie Clemitson said the "extraordinarily brave" victim may be affected by the consequences of his actions forever.
Toward, from Blakelaw in Newcastle, denied wrongdoing but was found guilty of rape and sexual assault.
The girl said her life since the abuse had been "shaped by recurring flashbacks and nightmares" and she had to live with panic and anxiety, having been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
She said part of her life had been "destroyed" and she felt a "sense of hatred and disgust" for Toward, adding: "I will never be able to forgive him."
Judge Clemitson said despite Toward's denials jurors had been sure he was guilty of the "heinous offences".
The judge said Toward gave the victim alcohol and drugs including cocaine and cannabis to "facilitate" the offending.
She praised the victim and said she was "extraordinarily brave" for reading out her own victim statement to the court, adding the girl was "living with the consequences" of Toward's actions and "may do forever".