Gateshead rapist jailed for attacks on two women

James Wilkinson, now 27, met both women through social media and had arranged a personal meeting with them for May 2021.

On May 9 of that year, Wilkinson brought his first victim to his apartment in the Wideopen neighborhood after the two met for the first time and visited a store together.

The woman – who was 20 at the time and had not expected to enter his home – became worried, revealed her location and sent messages to family members while on the move.

Wilkinson then asked the woman to go into his bedroom to watch television and then raped her.

And on May 24, a similar incident occurred: Wilkinson had arranged a date with the second woman after they exchanged messages online.

When the then 18-year-old arrived at his apartment, Wilkinson insisted that she watch television with him before they went out to dinner as agreed. He then raped her twice.

Both frightened victims left his address shortly after each incident and later reported the incident to the police.

Wilkinson, of Dunston Road, Gateshead, was arrested and subsequently charged with three counts of rape.

He continued to deny guilt, claiming the sex was consensual in both cases and boasting that he often met girls through his social media accounts.

The case initially went before Newcastle Crown Court, but Wilkinson was later found guilty of three counts of rape.

On Monday 3 June, he appeared before Durham Crown Court, where a judge sentenced him to eleven years and six months in prison.

He was also given a restraining order prohibiting him from having contact with either woman and was required to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Get more from the Northern Echo and stay up to date with a subscription. Our offer in June is £4 for 4 months. Click here to learn more.

Most read:

After announcing the outcome, Detective Constable Donya Durward, who led the investigation at Northumbria Police, said: “First of all, I would like to commend both survivors in this case for the courage and composure they have shown throughout the investigation and lengthy criminal proceedings.

“It is thanks to your courage in reporting the incident to the police that a dangerous criminal like Wilkinson is now behind bars and can no longer harm anyone.

“Wilkinson sexually assaulted his two unsuspecting young victims on two separate occasions after they arranged to meet him following a chat on social media.

“However, it soon became apparent that Wilkinson had other intentions and attacked the women in his own home.

“Although Wilkinson denied his despicable actions, he was found guilty on the basis of the strong evidence against him. A key point was that, although his victims did not know each other, they had both reported him to the police for the same offence in similar circumstances and only two weeks had passed between them.”

Det Con Durward added: “I thoroughly welcome this verdict and hope it provides some comfort to the two brave survivors in this case, knowing that he will now be locked up for a significant period of time.

“I hope this conviction serves as a stark warning to those who have an unlawfully distorted understanding of consent: someone’s consent to meet with you or go to your room or home with you is in no way the same as sexual consent.

“It is also important to recognise that people can withdraw their consent at any time.

“No one should ever have to endure an attack like this. Our officers and the many fantastic charities we work closely with are offering support.

“If you have ever been a victim of rape or any other type of sexual assault, we are here for you.”