Kelsale man James Mackenzie sentenced to nine years in jail for rape of a woman in Ipswich

A 32-year-old man has been jailed for the rape of a woman in Ipswich.

James Mackenzie, of Kelsale, was sentenced to nine years behind bars at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, having previously been found guilty by a jury at a trial on February 6.

The court heard how on December 2, 2018, Mackenzie removed the victim's clothing, took photographs of her naked and then raped her.

Following this, there was an argument during which he verbally abused the victim and struck her.

MacKenzie will serve two thirds of his sentence behind bars and the rest on licence.

He has also been handed an indefinite restraining order and a lifetime order on the sex offenders' register.

Investigating officer DC Kerry Bradley said: “I’d like to pay tribute to the complainant’s strength and courage over a four year period – she remained engaged during the whole investigative and judicial process.

"Whilst this was not easy, her evidence undoubtedly helped secure this conviction.

“It is important to point out that the victim was supported the whole time by an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) to ensure justice was done despite the passage of time.”