Grays: Abuser sentenced to 12 years in jail

A judge has sentenced a rapist to 12 years in jail after subjecting his victim to years of abuse.

Blaine Norton, 38, of Falcon Avenue, Grays, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and an additional two-and-a-half years on license at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday 12 October 2023.

He was convicted of rape, ABH, and false imprisonment at the same court on 9 June.

He will also be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Over a period of several years, Norton subjected the victim to violence, culminating in him raping her in January 2017.

On that occasion he forced himself on the victim despite her repeatedly urging him to stop and clearly stating she did not wish to have sex with him.

The case was investigated by specially trained sexual abuse detectives.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Richard Clark said:

“I want to praise the bravery demonstrated by the victim in this case.
“Blaine Norton has subjected her to a horrendous ordeal and she has shown great courage coming forward and reporting to us what he had put her through.
“He now faces a significant amount of time in prison for his actions.”

DC Clark added:

“If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse, please come forward and report it to us.
“You will be supported by specialist officers who will investigate your case.
“And we’re getting justice for more victims. In the last year we solved 130 more rape and sexual assault cases than the year before and in total solved more than 575 cases.”

Synergy Essex provides support and guidance for survivors of sexual and sexual abuse across Essex.

The Essex Rape Crisis Partnership is formed of three organisations:

• CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) who cover mid and north Essex.
• SERICC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service) who cover South and West Essex.
• SOS Rape Crisis who cover Southend, Castle Point and Rochford.

Survivors can self-refer and receive emotional support, specialist sexual violence and abuse counselling and or specialist advocacy services, no matter when the sexual violence or abuse occurred. In addition to this, they also offer support to survivor’s loved ones.

For more information about how to get support, visit the Synergy Essex website.