A rapist who subjected his victim to a "horrendous ordeal" after years of abuse has been jailed for 12 years.

Blaine Norton, of Falcon Avenue, Grays, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and an additional two-and-a-half years on license at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday (October 12).

The 38-year-old will also be on the sex offenders register for life.

He was convicted of rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), and false imprisonment at the same court on June 9.

Over a period of several years, Norton subjected the victim to violence, culminating in him raping her in January 2017.

On that occasion, Essex Police says he forced himself on the victim despite her repeatedly urging him to stop and clearly stating she did not wish to have sex with him.

The case was investigated by specially trained sexual abuse detectives.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Richard Clark said: “I want to praise the bravery demonstrated by the victim in this case.

“Blaine Norton has subjected her to a horrendous ordeal and she has shown great courage coming forward and reporting to us what he had put her through.

“He now faces a significant amount of time in prison for his actions.”

DC Clark added: “If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse, please come forward and report it to us.

“You will be supported by specialist officers who will investigate your case.

“And we’re getting justice for more victims. In the last year we solved 130 more rape and sexual assault cases than the year before and in total solved more than 575 cases.”