A RAPIST who left his victim petrified of men has finally been jailed more than 40 years after his horrific attack.

Former Army cook Norman Maddox had been based in Colchester at the time of the violent sex assault in 1974.

The woman was a teenager aged under 16 at the time, while he was 20.

Maddox, now 64, was convicted of rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Ipswich Crown Court two years ago but sentencing was delayed while further trials were scheduled.

He was cleared of three offences of rape, four offences of indecent assault, one offence of assault causing actual bodily harm and three involving gross indecency.

Maddox was first arrested in 2014.

Judge Martyn Levett finally sentenced him to nine-and-a-half years in jail saying Maddox had taken advantage of the victim’s naivety.

He said: “Every man must realise every woman is entitled to say no and not give consent.

“I approach this case on the basis the age difference was significant.

“You were drunk at the time and threatened to kill her.

“It is quite evident you take no responsibility for these offences and demonstrate a lack of remorse or empathy.

“You are being a fool to yourself when you suggest you have never been a violent man.”

In a victim statement given earlier this year, his victim said she has been left petrified of men and finds it difficult to trust people.

She also said she finds it difficult to sleep.

As well as serving in Colchester – Maddox also toured with the Army to Germany and Northern Ireland.

Robert Lassey, mitigating, said his service and boozing at the time of the incidents may have impacted and that the delays in the case had been difficult for Maddox, of Southbound Road, Manchester.

He said: “He would have been under a great deal of emotional strain.

“It is a dangerous occupation and he was stationed in what were dangerous places.

“We are now around two years since he was convicted.

“The delays were unfortunate but not the fault of the defendant.

“For the last five years he has been the subject of extremely stringent bail conditions and has been a huge restriction on his liberty and a strain.”

An application for a sexual harm prevention order was adjourned until November.