Stockton rapist faked messages from his victim branding her a liar to avoid jail time

A Teesside rapist faked messages from his victim to make her look like a liar.

Josh McDougal of Stockton raped a woman in his home and the Stockton Criminal Investigation Department launched an investigation. The 32-year-old was arrested and charged with rape, but he denied the crime.

After a trial, a jury found him guilty of the attack.

However, while awaiting sentencing, McDougal called police and said he had received some letters containing WhatsApp messages in which the victim allegedly lied about the rape. He then claimed that armed men had stolen the letters from his possession, but that he had made copies.

McDougal was arrested and admitted during an interview about the letters that he had written them to avoid conviction for the rape. He was subsequently charged with perverting the course of justice.

McDougal appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday 24 June, where he was sentenced to ten years in prison for rape and perverting the course of justice, given a restraining order prohibiting him from having any contact with the woman and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Investigating officer DC Ward said: “This was a truly horrific incident, made worse by McDougal’s denial of his crimes. He then caused further distress by cruelly attempting to discredit the victim. His vicious lies made an already traumatic ordeal even worse.”

“I would like to thank the victim for his courage and unwavering support throughout the process. McDougal is now serving a long prison sentence where he will no longer be able to harm anyone.”

You can report an incident to police 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online via the Cleveland Police website or by calling 101.

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