Middlesbrough rapist left victim 'wanting to die' during attack

Daniel Yule subjected his victim to violence and intimidation to satisfy his perverted needs, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 34-year-old placed the weapons on the bed before attacking his victim and leaving her begging to die.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said Yule had destroyed her life and left her traumatised.

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She branded her attacker as a 'narcissist' and said she 'often wished he had killed her'.

"I now suffer with anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, nightmares and flashbacks," she said. "I now fully understand the term narcissist. He has put me through hell and I will have a life sentence as this is something that I will take to the grave with me."

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said the victim had suffered 'humiliation and degradation' at the hands of her abuser and made threats of violence.

Daniel Yule

He added that the defendant placed a knife and a hammer next to the victim in bed before raping the woman.

Yule, of Cranmore Road, Middlesbrough, was found guilty of three counts of rape and one sexual assault offence following at trial.

Paul Cleasby, in mitigation, said his client still denies carrying out the rapes and sexual assault.

The counsel added that Yule's wife continued to support him following his conviction.

Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Yule to 14 years in custody for the violent and brutal rapes of the victim after taking the case to trial.

He said: "You were offering a choice symbolised by three symbols – a ring, a knife or a hammer – telling her should could either chose a beating with a hammer; stabbed to death with the knife; or rape.

"She asked for death but you replied 'that won't be any fun – I'm going to rape and beat you'."

Yule was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order by the court.

Speaking after the hearing, safeguarding Detective Chief Inspector Karen Naunton of Cleveland Police said: “I welcome the sentence given at court yesterday and hope the victim can take some comfort from it as she continues to try to rebuild her life.

“After her terrifying experiences at the hands of Yule, this lady then had to suffer the stress of a trial - all because Yule continued to deny what he had done. She showed huge bravery and dignity throughout."

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