Wednesfield man who raped mum jailed

Jul 13 2009 by Mike Bradley, Birmingham Mail

A MAN who raped a young mother he met through an internet site has been jailed for 21 months.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday how James Waterfield, 25, of Barnard Road, Ashmore Park, Wednesfield, immediately regretted his actions and he gave himself up to police before the woman was able to make a complaint.

Judge John Warner told Waterfield that in all his years on the bench it was the first time he had come across such an “exceptional” factor in a case.

He ruled he was able to impose a reduced sentence on Waterfield who was also told he must register as a sex offender for ten years.

Oliver Woolhouse, defending, said Waterfield, who walks with the aid of stick because of arthritis, was tearful and full of remorse when he surrendered himself to police.

He told the court it was an: “exceptional case in many aspects,” and added: “If he had not been so honest this case may have gone nowhere.”

Mr Woolhouse claimed Waterfield was not a predatory offender.

“He has now lost his good name and he will have the label of ‘rapist’ around his neck for the rest of his life,” he added.