A teacher has been sentenced to prison for raping a woman, leaving her feeling degraded and silenced, as the court hears her emotional impact statement.
Bristol: A teacher named David Derrick has been sentenced for rape. The judge expressed her best wishes for his future as she sent him to prison. Derrick, 41, denied the charge but was found guilty after a jury trial.
The jury heard that the victim did not consent. Derrick claimed he thought she was consenting, but the jury disagreed. They found his belief unreasonable after a long trial.
The court learned that the act lasted only a few seconds. Derrick’s lawyer mentioned that he apologized immediately and continued to do so the next day through messages.
The victim, whose identity is protected, shared how deeply affected she was. Her statement revealed that her life changed forever after the incident on November 29, 2022.
She described feelings of confusion, shame, and embarrassment. The victim felt isolated and degraded, and the impact on her family and friends was devastating.
After two years of dealing with the aftermath, she expressed relief that justice was served. Derrick received a sentence of two years and nine months. The judge noted his previous good character and the absence of aggravating factors.
She acknowledged the character witnesses who spoke on Derrick’s behalf, describing him as caring and supportive. The judge explained that the starting point for such offenses is usually five years, but she considered unusual factors in this case.
Ultimately, Derrick’s sentence was reduced due to mitigating circumstances. The judge warned him that his teaching career was over and that he would face lifelong restrictions as a registered sex offender.
He could be released on license after serving half of his sentence. A police spokesperson emphasized that this case shows that victims will be believed and encouraged others to come forward.
