A WOMAN who was raped has been praised for bravely coming forward as her attacker was jailed 15 years. 

Steven Anderson, 34, from Jaywick, broke the woman’s jaw and raped her at knifepoint twice in the terrifying ordeal.

It one incident he threw a perfume bottle at a television, causing it to break.

He also held a meat clever to her throat and damaged a staircase with it.

On another occasion he assaulted her, causing her to suffer a broken jaw, before raping at knifepoint twice.

Anderson then went on the run, fleeing the county before being arrested in Homerton three weeks later.

Anderson, who had been found guilty of seven charges following a trial in December, was jailed for 15 years when he appeared at court on Tuesday.

He was jailed for 15 years for rape, four years for causing GBH with intent, four years for making threats to kill, four years for false imprisonment, five months for assault by beating, and three months for criminal damage – to serve concurrently – and to serve a further six years on licence

Investigating officer Detective Constable Liv Howells, from the North Adult Sexual Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Steven Anderson put his victim through an unimaginable ordeal on two separate occasions.

“I want to praise the victim who has shown incredible bravery by coming forward and telling us what happened.

“She gave us in-depth accounts and I cannot thank her enough for her courage and co-operation throughout our investigation. It must have been incredibly difficult to recount what had happened to her.

“We have worked tirelessly on this case, to ensure we get justice for her, and to ensure Anderson is not able to commit further crimes against women.

“He will spend a significant amount of time behind bars and Essex is a safer place for this.”

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, encouraged other victims to come forward. She said: “I’m so grateful to Essex Police for their commitment to making sure I got justice, and that I remained safe at all times.

“I urge anyone suffering from abuse – whether it be physical, emotional, or sexual – to come forward and report these crimes.

“The support I received, particularly from Detective Constable Liv Howells and Meg from the C.A.R.A. team was invaluable.

“Even though it seems scary at the time, please, please report these crimes and get the justice you deserve.”