‘I’m so sorry’ said rapist after his attack on woman

A MAN who raped a woman at her home and then apologised for his “mistake” has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Joe Pink, 24, of Dale Close, Long Itchington, was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life after pleading guilty at Warwick Crown Court to the rape.

In sentencing Pink, the judge directed a further charge of rape following an incident in 2005 and a charge of sexual assault following an incident in 2009 to remain on file.

Prosecutor James Dunstan said that in January the woman, who was in her early 20s, was at her home in Stratford talking to Pink, who she had met last year at a pub they both went to.

As they chatted, he began to tickle her feet which made her laugh, and when they then sat on the sofa watching TV he began to tickle her again.

Pink then kissed her on her neck, at which she told him firmly: “No, stop it.”

Despite that, he went on to kiss her on the mouth and put his hand down her trousers as she was begging with him: “Please, no.”

Ignoring her pleas, he made comments like “You’ve always wanted this,” grabbed her wrist and tried to force her to touch him.

His victim continued to ask him to stop, but he began to kiss her to the body, moving down, at which she managed to get up from, the sofa.

But Pink grabbed her and pulled her down on top of him and raped her during an ordeal she said went on for about five minutes “but felt like a lifetime”.

The woman, who described his face as looking angry, was frightened and began crying, but then managed to pull herself away from him and asked him to leave.

Before leaving, Pink told her: “It’s a mistake. I’m so sorry,” and he then began sending her text messages apologising for what he had done.

The woman contacted an ex-boyfriend and then police.

When Pink was told why he was being arrested he replied “Yes, I know” – but when he was then interviewed he claimed it had been consensual.

And when he first appeared in court he pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea to guilty at a later hearing before he was due to stand trial.

Peter Freeman, defending, said: “He’s a builder, and he needs finesse in growing up and dealing with woman. “The young man standing looking at a prison sentence is very frightened and sorry.”

Judge Marten Coates, “Had there been a trial and you had been convicted, the prison sentence would have been five years.”

Speaking after Pink’s sentence, Det Insp Antony Mumford said: “This has been an excellent investigation conducted by a team of specially trained officers who have done everything they can to support those affected in this case.

“It is vital that from the time of reporting that a compassionate and supportive approach is given to each person and that this continues throughout the judicial process.

“The team conducted diligent and extensive enquiries to identify other victims thereby strengthening the case considerably and dramatically increasing the confidence of those affected that a successful prosecution could be achieved.

“The fact that Pink pleaded guilty demonstrates the quality of the evidence gathered. We hope that anyone who has been affected by a sexual assault is reassured by this case.”