'He should never be allowed near women again': Wearside victim reveals nightmare as attacker jailed

An attacker who subjected a woman he met on the internet to "intimate checks" to see if she had been having sex has been jailed for ten years.
Crown CourtCrown Court
Crown Court

Paul Theaker forced his victim to undergo humiliating examinations so he could see if she was sexually active.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 36-year-old met the woman, from Wearside, over social media and quickly became violent and controlling towards her.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Prosecutor Matthew Bean told the court: "She describes how the defendant would check her intimately, telling her he needed to do this to see whether she was engaging in sexual activity."

The court heard Theaker punched and throttled his victim and even stole an item of her jewellery he knew was irreplaceable to her.

The victim told police in a statement she believes Theaker "should never be allowed near women again" and that she has nightmares about what he did to her.

She added: "He is bitter and only concerned for himself. He doesn't care who he hurts and what he has done to me.

"He is cocky and arrogant.

"I hope he goes to jail and gets what he deserves.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I suspect he has done this to other women before. If I knew, I would never have gone near him."

The woman told police she had been "petrified" by the thought of reporting her ordeal and the prospect of having to go to court.

But she added: "I hope it prevents him from doing anything like this to other women."

Theaker, who is currently serving a jail term for burglaries and is originally from Darlington, pleaded guilty to sexual assault, harrassment and theft.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Judge Amanda Rippon sentenced him to ten years behind bars and said he must stay away from his victim and her family forever.

Theaker must register as a sex offender for life.

The judge said the victim was subjected to "degradation and humiliation" at Theaker's hands and that his treatment of her was "dreadful abuse".

Judge Rippon said Theaker was "riddled" with paranoia.

Theaker, who has a long criminal record, had refused to leave his prison cell, where he is serving a 40 month term for burglary, to attend the hearing and was sentenced in his absence.

Jane Foley, defending, said there was "absolutely nothing" she could put before the court as mitigation, except Theaker's guilty plea, which saved his victim from giving evidence.

Miss Foley added: "It is abhorrent offending.

"Sadly, for the complainant, it is likely to have a continued effect."