Martin Butler was found guilty of rape and buggery following a trial in February, at Truro Crown Court.

He appeared for sentencing on Friday 21 April at Truro Crown Court and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

At the trial, it was described how Butler and the victim had visited his parents’ home in Mevagissey in August 1988.

After spending an evening out in the village, they returned to the property and went to bed.

The victim said she had woken up later to find her hands were tied behind her back and her legs were tied together.

She also reported that Butler put his hand over her mouth and nose, so she could not breathe.

As he raped her, she thought she was going to die.

After he released his grip and untied her arms, he left the room and she freed herself.

She went downstairs and confronted him before going back to the bedroom and barricading herself in.

Butler left the property and did not return before she had left to go home a couple of days later.

She did not report the rape at the time, believing that she was his only victim.

But in 2018, she saw a social media post and realised there were possibly other victims, and with the help of a friend she contacted the police.

Two of his alleged victims appeared as character witnesses for the prosecution after their cases had been discontinued by police elsewhere in the country.

The victim bravely gave evidence during the trial and described how she had been groomed for sex by Butler from when she was 14 or 15 and he was in his early 40s.

She said that Butler would regularly tie her up to have sex and put his hands around her neck. She also awoke to find him having sex with her.

Another witness, who says Butler had forceful and violent sex with her when she was 14 or 15, also gave evidence at the trial.

The second witness also said that Butler raped her and would tie her up to restrain her. Both said that Butler would give them drugs to facilitate the abuse.