Vinny Balmer first attacked his victim at her home in June 2019. Two days later, he met the same woman at a bus stop on New Road, Boldon Colliery, and again physically assaulted her, dragged her into an alleyway and raped her. After the second assault, the woman immediately reported Balmer, 28, to police and an investigation was launched by our Safeguarding unit. The man denied the allegations and the case was sent to trial. A jury at Newcastle Crown Court found him guilty of two counts of rape and he was sentenced to 14 years. Detective Constable Karen Butterworth led the investigation and has praised the bravery of the victim for coming forward to report these crimes.