February 3, 2020 3.31 pm This story is over 49 months old

Lincoln rapist took photos of himself attacking unconscious woman

Victim left emotionally, mentally and physically destroyed
Stephen Doughty has been jailed for 12 years.

An ex-forces Lincoln man who took pictures of himself raping a woman has been jailed for 12 years.

Stephen Doughty, 62, caused “incalculable damage” to his victim who had been completely unaware of what was happening to her.

He had met the woman at a Lincoln pub in May 2018 and, although they remained there for a few hours, the victim did not consume much alcohol.

At the end of the evening, they left the premises, at which point the victim began to feel strange and very drunk. The next morning, she felt extremely ill.

Despite initially telling the victim that they had not had sex, when they met several days later he changed his story.

He told her that this was because she had been “out of it” and proceeded to show her a number of photographs he had taken on that night.

The 37 photographs he took were part of the evidence against him.

Doughty, 64, of Newark Road, North Hykeham, denied rape, attempted rape and two charges of assault by penetration but was found guilty in July 2019 following a trial and has since been remanded in custody.

His sentence was delayed due to the ill-health of the original trial judge which resulted in the case eventually being passed to Judge Pini to deal with.

Robert Underwood, prosecuting, said that the offences, which took place on a night in May 2018, have had a devastating effect on the victim.

He told the court that the Doughty raped the woman and committed other degrading sex acts on her at a time when she had no knowledge of what was happening.

She had been in a comatose condition.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, the woman said she has since suffered nightmares.

She added: “The effects will stay with me for the rest of my life. I am totally broken. This has left me emotionally, mentally and physically destroyed.”

John McNally, for Doughty, said his client had served in the forces and was of previous good character.

“He misread the situation. This is a man who made a tragic and serious misjudgment on one night.

“He is a man who people can say very good things about. The error he made will blight his good name forever.

“He has found himself in custody, without a job and he will be without a home.”

Retired Detective Constable Robin Palmer, who investigated the case, said: “Doughty committed horrific acts against this woman, yet he continually and falsely claimed that these acts were consensual.

“Doughty will now serve a considerable prison sentence for his crimes.

“His actions caused her physical distress, but also significant mental and emotional pain.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the victim, who has shown a great deal of courage while we have completed a thorough investigation.”