Mum's eight-year justice battle to see rapist jailed

A woman who waited more than eight years for her rapist to be jailed has said the criminal justice system left her "unheard and ignored".

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, made an allegation of rape in 2017 and her attacker was sentenced today after years of delays and errors by police, prosecutors and the court service.

Allan Peyton was jailed for five years at Worcester Crown Court after being convicted of rape and assault by penetration.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said it recognises "the profound impact delays can have on victims" and is taking action by working closely with police forces.

The woman, a mother of two, said her "continuous battle for justice" had left her feeling "hopeless and abandoned".

The court heard that Peyton, 45, entered her home in the early hours of 7 May 2017 and raped her while under the influence of alcohol.

She reported the attack to West Mercia Police the following day.

But a series of extraordinary delays, including a poor police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service initially choosing not to charge him due to lack of evidence, then reviewing the case and changing their minds, then a lack of courts and staff to hear the case meant that Peyton was not finally convicted until July.

Since the summer, there were three previous efforts to sentence him - all of which were postponed.

Following the sentencing, the woman told the BBC: "Given that it's taken eight and a half years to get to this point, I feel like I've actually served this sentence myself.

"I'm just extremely relieved that we're at the concluding part."

She added: "It's been beyond anything I could have ever imagined, from emotional breakdowns to having it completely consume my every single day, never being rid of it, never knowing when the end was going to be there.

"All while navigating my personal safety because that was left in the wind.

"Even after sentencing, after conviction, I just felt utterly abandoned by the whole process."

In a statement, the CPS said: "We recognise the profound impact delays can have on victims and this is why we are taking action by working closely with police colleagues to help build the strongest case from the outset.

"Whilst in recent years this has led to a reduction in the time taken between the CPS receiving a file and making a charging decision, we know there is still more to do and that is why last week we launched our new strategy for Violence Against Women and Girls."

Ch Supt Edd Williams of West Mercia Police added: "We expect a high standard for investigations and support to survivors and if someone feels we have fallen below this we encourage them to talk to us through our complaints process so we can learn and improve.

"We hope today's sentencing can finally bring some form of closure."