A man who subjected a vulnerable woman to a terrifying and sustained sexual assault has received an extended sentence.

Liam Maughan, 38, was sentenced after pleading guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to multiple offences relating to the attack.

Maughan invited the woman to his home after finding out she had nowhere to stay, in November 2022.

The court heard that a few days later the victim told Maughan that she wanted to leave.

(Image: Northumbria Police)

She visited a friend, returning to Maughan’s house a few hours later after being unable to find anywhere else to stay that night.

Shortly after her arrival, Maughan punched and slapped the woman, verbally abusing her before whipping her with a skipping rope.

When she tried to leave, he told her that she could not as he thought she would tell police what had happened.

He then went on to commit a vicious physical and sexual assault on the helpless victim, including strangling her to the point she blacked out.

Maughan, of Marine Avenue, Wallsend, admitted two charges of assault by penetration, plus one each of intended strangulation, assault causing actual bodily harm and making a threat to kill, at an earlier hearing.

(Image: Northumbria Police)

He was given a 17-year extended sentence, featuring a custodial element of 13 years and four years licence extension.

The lengthy sentence was welcomed by police investigators who helped to bring Maughan to justice.

Detective Constable Lucy Joyce, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, led the inquiry, supported by Detective Constable Phillip Trotter.

Det Con Joyce said: “Maughan preyed on this woman, subjecting her to the most horrendous physical and sexual abuse imaginable.

“I absolutely welcome this sentence and hope it provides his brave victim with some comfort in knowing he’s now behind bars and will be for a long time.

“I want to praise her for her bravery and composure during the investigation and trial – it is because of her courage in coming forward that a dangerous man is locked up and will be unable to hurt anyone else.”

She added: “I hope this conviction serves as a stark warning to those with a 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.

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

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Charlotte Dennison, Acting Head of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit for the Crown Prosecution Service in the North East, said: “Maughan’s violent sexual assault on his vulnerable victim must have been utterly terrifying for her.

“At one point during the assault. he strangled her into unconsciousness, later arming himself with knives and threatening to kill her.

“It was only when he agreed to let the victim use the toilet that she managed to escape through the bathroom window.

“When police attended the scene and arrested Maughan, his victim was found visibly shaken and distressed nearby.

“We have worked closely with the police, piecing together forensic images of the victim’s injuries and her account of the attack to build a robust case against Maughan.

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“Our thoughts remain with his victim, whose suffering at his hands was horrific.

“We sincerely hope that the significant sentence given to her attacker today provides some measure of comfort to her.”

Anyone wishing to disclose a report of rape or sexual assault can visit the ‘Report’ pages of the Northumbria Police website, send a direct message on social media, or Live Chat.