'˜I thought I was going to die' - Sheffield survivor of seven-hour rape ordeal speaks out after attacker is jailed for 12 years

The woman, known as ‘Laura’ has spoken out after her assailant Benjamin Recio-Nugent was jailed for 12 years at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday.

Over the course of seven-and-a-half hours she was subjected to a number of rapes and despite trying to flee the property was dragged back, had piping hot water poured over her, and at one point had a sock stuffed into her mouth to muffle her screams.

Laura said: “During the attack I thought I was going to die. I was in that much pain part of me started to think it was the only way it was ever going to end.”

“I am relieved to see him behind bars so that he won’t be able to hurt anyone else.

Recio-Nugent, aged 26, of Shirebrook Road, Meersbrook, raped his victim ‘dragging’ her to different parts of the property and demanded that she wore make-up to cover her bruises.

After the defendant let the victim leave, she fled the property and called a taxi. The driver took her to a police station straight away.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, disclosed the terrifying attack to police and Recio-Nugent was arrested later that day.

Jeremey Hill-Baker, prosecuting, said the victim had flashbacks and nightmares of the incident and is now scared to leave her house.

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Recio-Nugent told police after his arrest that the victim ‘fabricated’ her story and said intercourse was consensual.

The defendant was found guilty of rape, attempted rape, four counts of sexual assault by penetration and physical assault at an earlier hearing.

Recio-Nugent showed no emotion as Recorder Kealey delivered his sentence of 12 years and nodded to the judge before giving a thumbs up to the public gallery as he was led away to the cells.

DC Dave Grubb, who led the investigation, said: “The level and nature of the prolonged violence Laura was subjected to was horrendous and she has shown remarkable courage in reporting the attack and then providing compelling evidence against her attacker in court, where his version of events was shown to be nothing more than a series of lies.

“I hope that today’s sentence will provide Laura with some sense of closure and enable her to continue to positively move on with her life while also encouraging other victims of sexual offences to come forward in the knowledge they will be believed and supported by South Yorkshire Police.”