Daniel Holland, 39, first came to the attention of Northumbria Police when, last year, he had arranged to meet a woman for a date after exchanging messages online.
During the course of the evening, Holland forced the woman to have sex with him despite her frequent pleas for him to stop.
His brave victim disclosed what had happened to a friend and later referred herself to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) – where she was offered immediate support from specialists, soon disclosing the offences to police.
Holland, of no fixed abode, was arrested and questioned in connection with the report.
The subsequent and complex investigation revealed that Holland, who had previously lived in the Bournemouth area, had raped another victim. And, in a separate incident, he also violently assaulted her by punching her in the back of the head, pushing her to the floor and stamping on her back – fracturing two of her ribs.
The court also heard of a fourth offence where Holland had attempted to engage in sexual communication with who he believed was a 13-year-old girl. However, the profile he was exchanging messages with was run by an independent vigilante group which later reported him to police.
Holland’s offending across the two police force areas was combined into a singular prosecution when he was charged with a number of sexual offences.
In January, Holland appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where, on the morning at the start of his trial, he changed his plea and pleaded guilty to two offences of rape, assault and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
And on Wednesday (April 2), he was back at the same court where a judge sentenced him to 12 years and seven months behind bars, with a further five years on licence once he is released.
He was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, was handed two 15-year restraining orders preventing him from contacting his victims and will be subject to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to further monitor his behaviour once he is released from prison.
Detective Constable Gemma Clark, from the Force’s Safeguarding Department, led the investigation for Northumbria Police.
She said, “I want to praise the survivors in these cases for contacting police and for continuing to assist with the investigation, trial, and all the court proceedings.
“It is thanks to them that this predatory man is behind bars. I sincerely hope their bravery and this sentence will give other people the confidence to come forward and speak with police.
“Holland is a dangerous man, and our country is most certainly safer with him behind bars.”
She added: “I also want to raise awareness of the Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) around the Force area, which are always an option to go to if you’re unsure about coming straight to police.
“An officer can take you there, or you can self-refer there or be taken there by a support charity.
“The SARC offers medical, practical, and emotional support to anyone who has been sexually assaulted or raped. They have specially trained staff and support workers to care for anyone in the aftermath of being the victim of a sexual offence.”
Det Con Clark continued: “I hope this sentence serves as a stark warning to those with an unlawfully blurred view on consent that no always means no and consent can be withdrawn at any time.
“Someone consenting to go on a date with you does not equate to automatic sexual consent – no scenario or relationship does.”
Detective Sergeant Leo Christian, of Dorset Police, also said: “I want to thank the victim in this case for the courage she has shown in coming forward and supporting our investigation as well as the court process.
“I hope the strength she has shown will encourage other victims to report matters to us in the knowledge they will be supported, and we ensure offenders are held to account.”
Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse of any form can contact police by sending a direct message on social media or by using the ‘Report’ forms or live chat function on the Northumbria Police website.
For those unable to contact police in this way, please call 101
