Sadistic abuser shoved woman's head in toilet before raping her

Matthew James Gardner, 34, of Gilly Hill in Redruth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing
-Credit: (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)


WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT

A sick and violent rapist has been locked up for 18 years after subjecting his victim to a series of abhorrent rapes and abuse in Cornwall. Matthew James Gardner, 34, spat on his victim when he was done raping her on one occasion and shoved her head in a toilet before another rape.

Gardner, of Gilly Hill in Redruth, but formerly of the Isles of Scilly, was found guilty after a trial in January at Truro Crown Court of 14 charges including nine counts of rape, assault by penetration and four other charges. His catalogue of unimaginable abuse included telling his victim nobody would believe her if she spoke out.

Appearing before Truro Crown Court to be sentenced today (Thursday, September 19), Gardner had previously cried uncontrollably as he was told he faces years behind bars following his trial at the beginning of the year. He was found guilty of all charges and repeated the word 'sick' as he left the dock after being granted bail at the time.

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During the trial, the court heard that Gardner used fear and control to gain sexual gratification. On one occasion he raped the victim despite her being clearly unwell. Much of the details of Gardner's trial were so sick they can't even be reported.

In her interview with police, the victim spoke of how one of the rapes left her in such pain, she put a bag of frozen peas on herself to try and alleviate the pain. He also on a number of occasions forced the victim to perform oral sex against her will.

Matthew Gardner, from the Redruth area, who has been convicted of a number of rapes
Matthew Gardner, from the Redruth area, who has been convicted of a number of rapes -Credit:Unknown

On another, she was brushing her teeth when Gardner threw her toothbrush in the toilet, urinated on it and then rammed it in her mouth. Perhaps most chillingly of all, on one occasion Gardner forced a sock into the victim's mouth, put his hand on her head and raped her.

Violent Gardner also controlled and coerced her life. He spat on the woman during one of the rapes and made violent threats. He also raped her anally on another occasion and on another dragged her across a landing before raping her.

During the trial Gardner had tried to convince the court that their sexual encounters were always “completely consensual” but the jury did not believe him. Despite him telling his victim nobody would believe her, all 12 jurors did.

In a moving impact statement, his brave victim described feeling like she lived every day as if she was just "waiting to die". She said not a day goes by when she doesn't think about the damage done to her. She said she can't even look at her naked body because of the abuse inflicted upon it.

Matthew James Gardner, 34, of Gilly Hill in Redruth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing
Matthew James Gardner, 34, of Gilly Hill in Redruth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing -Credit:Devon and Cornwall Police

Sentencing Gardner, Recorder Richard Stead said: "You are clearly unable to take responsibility for your own actions and blame everyone but yourself." He told Gardner he used his previous good character to hide his offending and the at least 14 rapes he inflicted on his victim.

Gardner was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment. He will serve two-thirds before eligible for patrol and if eligible will serve the remainder on licence.

He was also subjected to an extended licence period of four years on release. He will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.