Serial abuser jailed for 13 years after violent rape attack
A serial abuser who attacked and then raped a woman after being ordered not to contact her has been jailed for 13 years.
James McNutt tried to smother the woman with a pillow after the sexual attack and only stopped when she 'played dead'.
The 33-year-old originally met the female via a dating app in April last year but quickly became controlling and aggressive - regularly slapping her while also taking her mobile phone to prevent her contacting others.
He was on a domestic violence prevention order - which stopped him from getting in touch with the woman - when he persuaded her to meet him on the pretence of picking up some photographs in August.
McNutt pestered and then assaulted her; taking her handbag in his efforts to prevent her leaving.
He later let himself into her home before launching a violent attack on the woman. McNutt hit her across the mouth with her own phone, smashed a glass over her head, then stamped and attempted to strangle her before raping her.
He tried to smother her with a pillow – leaving her fearing for her life - and only stopped after she pretended to be unresponsive. In a previous harrowing ordeal, he had tried choking her claiming that this was the method he would use to kill her.
McNutt, of no fixed address, was arrested and convicted of rape following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court. He admitted coercive control during the course of the court case.
The defendant – who had previous convictions for domestic violence – was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment last Thursday, March 28.
PC Tom Parrott, from the force’s public protection unit, said: “McNutt is a manipulative and violent bully. He ignored the restrictions put on him as he was confident of the level of control he had over his victim.
“Following his arrest he attempted to fool investigators through lies and false alibis but officers were able to put forward a strong case of evidence.
“The thought of what McNutt would go on to do to other women, if he avoided justice, was a major factor in giving the victim the strength she needed to see the case through in court.
“The unwavering support of her family and the West Midlands Police Safeguarding Team enabled to her to stand and face her abuser. I have nothing but the greatest respect for her courage and resilience, and I would like to express my thanks to her for helping to put an extremely dangerous offender behind bars."
