July 2023

Victim praises officers as rapist is jailed for 10 years

A domestic abuse survivor who was repeatedly raped, controlled and imprisoned against her will has praised the specialist officers who brought her tormentor to justice.

The determined woman, who is entitled to lifelong anonymity by law, spoke of her relief after abusive 38-year-old Daniel Cox, of Albany Gardens, Colchester, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

She stood strong throughout a trial at Ipswich Crown Court, telling a jury how Cox sexually abused her and threatened her with violence to exert control over her.

During the trial, the court was told Cox controlled who the complainant spoke to and even how long she could spend in the toilet.

He would tell her when she could go to bed and what she could wear, controlling her calls and visits to see friends.

Cox physically prevented her from leaving his address, manipulated her and threatened violence against her if she did not comply.

Ignoring her pain and pleas for him to stop, he raped her on several occasions.

The victim’s understandable fear of her abuser persisted throughout this period, but with the support of specialist officers, she supported our efforts to bring Cox to justice.

The defendant was arrested and on Monday 3 July, was convicted of three counts of rape, one count of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of false imprisonment.

He was found not guilty on four counts of assault by penetration and one count of making threats to kill.

Cox must sign the sex offenders’ register for life and will remain the subject of an indefinite restraining order.