A RAPIST who left bite marks on his victim's body has been jailed for four years.
Rajinderpal Ghala was found guilty following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court last month.
The 46-year-old, of Melbourne Road, Aspley, carried out the attack on a 40-year-old woman in Nottingham on Friday, June 24.
After going to the victim's home, Ghala became violent, strangling and biting her as he raped her.
When he left, the woman raised the alarm and was taken to Nottingham's Topaz Centre, where victims of rape and sexual assault receive specialist support and undergo a medical examination.
They found bite marks on her body and injuries on her neck consistent with strangulation.
Ghala was arrested and denied the charges, claiming he'd had consensual sex with the victim.
He also denied biting or strangling her, but a forensic dentist concluded the bite marks on the victim's body were a match to Ghala's teeth.
He was charged with rape, which he continued to deny, but was found guilty at his trial.
Following his sentencing yesterday, the victim said: "Ghala knew he had raped me and yet he made me relive the attack in court.
"It has changed my life. That night I thought I was going to die – not only was I violated but I was injured too.
"I have been scarred by one of the bite marks, and on a recent holiday someone made a comment about my scar.
"How on earth am I supposed to explain that? It's a sudden and constant reminder of being attacked."
She added: "I have to live with this attack every day of my life and I am no longer the same person.
"I trusted Ghala and then he attacked me – not only in my own home but in my bedroom. I still can't sleep in there and it's a constant reminder of the attack.
"I would still like to think that one day he will admit what he did to me. I think only then will I get proper closure and move on with my life.
"His sentencing will hopefully be a turning point for me to start rebuilding my life.
" I have the resolve to get my life back together and knowing that justice has been done has helped a lot."
Detective Constable Rachael Hickling, from the Rape Investigation Unit, led the inquiry.
She said: "Ghala's victim has gone through a tremendous ordeal – she not only had to endure a cruel and violent attack, but she then faced grueling questioning in court.
"The events of the last six months have had a profound and lasting impact on her but she has shown incredible strength and bravery throughout."
"Because of her admirable courage, a dangerous and violent attacker is now where he belongs and is no longer free to do this to anyone else."
