A sexual predator who raped two women after bringing them home to his flat has been locked up for more than 11 years.

James Wilkinson, now 27, met both the women through social media and had arranged to meet up with them in person during May 2021.

On May 9 that year, Wilkinson brought his first victim back to his flat in the Wideopen area, after the pair had met up for the first time and visited a shop together.

The woman – who was 20 at the time and had not expected to go into his home – felt concerned, sharing her location and messaging family members while she was out.

Wilkinson then encouraged the woman to go into his bedroom to watch TV, before proceeding to rape her.

And on May 24, a similar incident occurred whereby Wilkinson had arranged to meet the second woman for a date, after exchanging messages online.

When the then 18-year-old arrived at his flat, Wilkinson insisted she watched TV with him before they went out for food as they had discussed. He then proceeded to rape her twice.

Both terrified victims left his address shortly after each of the incidents occurred and later reported what had happened to police.

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

He continued to deny his guilt, claiming the sex on both occasions was consensual, and boasted that he would often meet girls through his social media accounts.

The case initially went to trial at Newcastle Crown Court, however Wilkinson was later found guilty on three offences of rape.

He appeared before Durham Crown Court on Monday, June 3, where a judge sentenced him to 11 years and six months in prison.

He was also handed a restraining order to forbid contact with both women, and ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely.

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Speaking after the result, Detective Constable Donya Durward, who led the investigation at Northumbria Police, said: “First and foremost, I would like to praise both of the survivors in this case for the bravery and composure they have shown during the investigation and lengthy criminal proceedings.

“It is thanks to their courage in reporting what happened to police that a dangerous offender like Wilkinson is now behind bars and will be unable to harm anyone else.

“Wilkinson preyed on his two unsuspecting young victims on separate occasions, where they had made plans to meet up with him for a date after chatting on social media.

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

“While he denied his despicable actions, Wilkinson was found guilty due to the strong evidence stacked against him – a key part being that while his victims did not know each other, they had both reported him to police for the same offence in similar circumstances, taking place only two weeks apart.”

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Det Con Durward added: “I absolutely welcome this sentence and hope it provides both courageous survivors in this case with some comfort in knowing he’s now locked up for a significant period.

“I hope this conviction serves as a stark warning to those with an unlawfully blurred view of consent that someone consenting to meet up with you or agreeing to go back to your room or home absolutely does not equate to sexual consent.

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

“No one should ever have to endure this type of assault and support is available from our officers and the many fantastic charities we work closely with.

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