Man jailed for 14 years for raping teenage girl he’d just met

No always means no.

That’s the message from officers after a man was jailed for 14 years for raping a teenage girl he’d just met.   

Bailey Stubbs talked to the girl – who was under 16 - on Snapchat before meeting her in person in December 2021, where he supplied her with alcohol and took her back to his home in Murton.

Once there, the 22-year-old sexually assaulted the girl several times and forced her to have sex with him, despite her repeatedly telling him ‘no’.

Stubbs also strangled the girl and spat in her face.

When the terrified girl told Stubbs she wanted to go home, he told her she couldn’t leave and that he would take her home in the morning.

The brave girl managed to alert her parents who called police and Stubbs was arrested that night.

He was charged with several offences, including four counts of sexual assault, rape, assault, and false imprisonment, which he denied.

However, a jury sitting at Durham Crown Court found Stubbs guilty of the offences earlier this year and he returned to court on Friday (May 9) where he was jailed for 14 years.

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely and handed a restraining order preventing him from contacting the girl.

Detective Inspector Darren Wild, from Peterlee CID, said: “Stubbs is a dangerous offender who showed no regard for the devastating impact his actions would have on the girl.

“More than once he was told unwaveringly no by his victim, who was clearly distressed and had not given her consent.

“We want to praise the girl who has shown immense bravery throughout the investigation and subsequent trial and court proceedings.

“Her strength has prevailed and her attacker has been handed a lengthy prison sentence. I hope this will allow her to begin the healing process and put this terrible incident behind her.”

He added: “We hope this sentence serves as a stark warning to those with an unlawfully blurred view on consent that no always means no.

“If a person tells you no, attempts to push you away, freezes, or very clearly becomes distressed, it is clear that they have not given you consent to touch them.

“No one should ever have to endure this type of assault. If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted, please tell us – you will be listened to and we will believe you.”

To report a rape or sexual assault, call Durham Constabulary on 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.

If you’re more comfortable reporting online, you can visit our online reporting page here www.durham.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

If you’re not ready to speak to police, there are other agencies who can help:

The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support to people who have experienced rape or sexual assault. Call 0330 223 0099 or visit www.sarcdurham.co.uk

The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is available 24/7and provides support for anyone who has been affected by rape or sexual assault. Call 0808 500 2222 or visit www.247sexualabusesupport.org.uk

The Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC) offers free, specialist support to anyone who has experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. Call 01325 354119, email [email protected] or visit www.rsacc-thecentre.org.uk