"I can't believe he made me go through the trial, knowing what he had done to me..."

A rapist tried to get his victim to drop the case then forced her to relive her ordeal before a jury. David Bevan, 45, has been locked up for 15 years after being found guilty.

Manchester Crown Court heard that Bevan had raped the woman on two separate occasions. Prosecutors said that after he was arrested, Bevan, from Wigan, attempted to persuade the victim to drop her allegations.

But she bravely gave evidence at a trial, and Bevan was subsequently found guilty of three counts of rape, and two counts of assault by penetration. He pleaded guilty to one count of common assault, one count of criminal damage and one count of perverting the course of justice.

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In a statement read on her behalf in court, the woman - who will remain anonymous - said: "This has left me feeling so emotional. I had to go to the doctors, I was suicidal.

"I'm on medication just to get me through the day. I can't believe he made me go through the trial, knowing what he had done to me.

"I just want people to know I hate everything that has happened, having to go through this trial and the effect that this will have. I'm glad that the truth has come out but there are no winners in this.

"I don't think people understand just how difficult that this all is." Defending, Ellen Shaw said that Bevan has suffered from mental health issues and has made attempts on his own life previously.

She said he has achieved enhanced status in prison and is 'making use of his time'. Bevan, from Wigan, was found guilty of three counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.

He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Judge Rachel Smith said