Father jailed for six years in rape case

A 49-year-old father has been jailed for six years for raping a woman. Brian Whitfield of Loppington, near Wem, was jailed when he appeared for sentencing at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday.

He had denied one count of rape but was found guilty following a trial.

Judge Peter Barrie yesterday criticised Whitfield for continuing to deny the attack, which he carried out in Wem on December 12, 2009.

Judge Barrie said Whitfield's actions had had a long-term impact on the victim.

He told Whitfield: "You still accept no responsibility for your actions. It had a lasting effect."

Mr Balbir Singh, for Whitfield, said a long custodial sentence would impact Whitfield's partner and children and urged the judge to be as lenient as possible.

But Judge Barrie said the harm done to the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, aggravated the seriousness of the offence.