Man jailed for Elmswell rape

A 34-year-old man has been jailed for the rape of a woman in Elmswell, which occurred three years ago.

John Hutton, formerly from Mendlesham, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 26 July where he was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment. He was told he must serve a minimum of six years in jail with the remainder of the jail sentence to be served on licence.

He had previously denied the charge of rape but was convicted on 3 May, following a five-day trial.

The offence occurred on 7 July 2021 when the victim, a woman aged in her 30s, had been on a night out with friends and had met with Hutton whom she knew.

Hutton socialised with the group before walking the victim home later that evening, where he raped her.

The incident was reported to police the next day.

The court heard that the victim recalled being unable to walk properly on her way home, feeling and being violently sick and then later being unable to move.  This led her to believe that her drink had been spiked or that she had been drugged and following analysis of her blood samples, the toxicology report found traces of cocaine in her system.

The investigation was not able to determine who may have drugged the victim, but it should have been apparent to Hutton that she was in no fit state and clearly not in the position to consent.

DNA samples taken from the victim matched Hutton, helping to provide key evidence that he was the man who raped her.

In her victim personal statement she described how the incident has impacted her life, saying: “The time I have lost because of all of this is no longer retrievable. The days that were lost, laying in bed at my parent’s house after it happened. Unable to talk. Unable to sleep. Just laying and feeling empty. Not knowing if I was ever going to feel ‘normal’ again.”

Hutton was also given a restraining order and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.  

DC Kelly Dale, the investigating officer said: “I am pleased to see that justice has prevailed. I would especially like to express my admiration for the strength and bravery shown by the victim who has remained so courageous throughout the whole process. I hope she can take some closure from this result to rebuild her life.

“Hutton took advantage of a vulnerable woman who he should have helped. This will never be acceptable and the police will do everything in their power to support victims of these abhorrent crimes and bring offenders to account for their actions.”