A man from Paignton has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison after being convicted of raping a woman. Matthew Hughes, aged 29, exhibited a dangerous combination of behavior during the assault, which was both terrifying and humiliating for the victim, a court heard.

Following the attack, Hughes sent the woman a text message containing abusive language, stating, "I hope you feel as worthless as I do." Although he denied committing the rape, a jury found him guilty at a trial held in August. Hughes, who resides on Southfield Road, appeared in court for sentencing, where the judge described his conduct as "monstrous."

Judge David Evans criticized Hughes, highlighting his harmful attitudes towards women, which involved a desire to dominate and a view of women as subservient to his ego. The judge also remarked on Hughes’s troubling mindset and the need to exert control.

The victim provided a statement, revealing that the assault took place in 2019 and that the emotional abuse had inflicted lasting trauma. She admitted that she now feels afraid to visit certain places in her hometown and that her trust in men has been severely damaged.

Expressing the profound impact of the incident, she said, "I feel my whole adulthood has been tarnished." She also expressed gratitude toward those who supported her and believed her story, with hopes of gradually regaining her strength.