‘Charming’ man flirted with me in pub then dragged me to a park, raped me and threatened to kill me
Hannah Gollings was subjected to a brutal attack at the hands of 'true gentleman' Jonathan Corry
A BRAVE mum-of-one has revealed how she was raped by a charming stranger she met on a night out.
Hannah Gollings, 30, from Carlisle, met Jonathan Corry at a local bar in August 2015. The pair hit it off, so when he suggested a drink back at his, she agreed.
But 10-minutes after they left the bar, Corry brutally attacked Hannah in a park, beating and raping her. In February 2016, Corry was jailed for 10 years and eight months.
Now, Hannah, an associate at TK Maxx, has bravely waived her right to anonymity to encourage other survivors to come forward.
She told Fabulous Digital: “Jonathan seemed like a true gentleman and I would never have suspected that he was capable of such a horrific attack.
“I’m so proud of myself for going to the police straight after it happened and want to urge others to do the same. It’s a difficult process, but it makes it easier for officers to catch these monsters.”
In summer 2015, Hannah was enjoying a rare night out on the tiles.
A single mum to her son Harry*, now eight, she headed to a local bar where a friend was hosting an open-mic night.
There she got chatting to Corry, who recognised her from the shop she worked at.
Hannah said: “He said he recognised me, and introduced himself. He seemed friendly enough and was smartly dressed. We had a couple of drinks and chatted.
“After a couple of hours, he suggested having a drink back at his, which I agreed to.”
But on the way, horror struck.
While walking through a park, Corry covered Hannah’s mouth, warning her not to scream. He dragged her off the path, out of sight and onto the ground.
Hannah said: “I desperately tried to fight him off, but he was too strong. Tears streamed down my face as he raped me.
“Afterwards, I stumbled to my feet and Jonathan punched me in the face. I fell to the ground and he hit me again. Then he threatened to kill me if I told anyone what he’d done.
“I was terrified but pretended to be unconscious so he wouldn’t hurt me again. Thankfully he fled the park.”
Rape and sexual abuse helplines
NHS Choices – Help after rape and sexual assault
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Rape Crisis
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The Survivors Trust
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Hannah ran to a nearby friend’s house. When he answered the door, she collapsed inside sobbing that she’d been raped.
Her friend took her to the police station and Hannah recounted the horrific attack to officers.
Hannah said: “I finally got to sleep around 6.30am the next morning, but was woken up by my mum telling me there was a police officer at the door.
“He took me to Royal Preston Hospital where doctors examined me. They revealed that I had 26 separate injuries, mostly bruises and grazes.
“Back at home, I told my parents what had happened. And Jonathan was arrested later that day.
“Because I’d reported him so quickly, police had enough evidence to charge him and hold him on remand.”
In February 2016, Jonathan Corry, 26, of Longlands Road, Carlise, denied rape and witness intimidation at Carlisle Crown Court.
Hannah was forced to testify at the trial.
During the court case, he claimed that the pair had had sex consensually in the park.
But the jury saw through his lies and found him guilty. He was jailed for 10 years and eight months.
Hannah said: “He deserves every second of his sentence. The attack was disgusting and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
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“Since then, I’ve suffered flashbacks and I’ve been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. But I won’t give up.
“I’m so proud that I reported him to the police as quick as I did. It meant officers were able to gather enough evidence to charge him.
“I know that speaking out is tough but it’s so worth it.
“There are other men like Corry out there, hiding their true nature behind jokes, charm and handsome smiles. And, just like him, they deserve to be in jail.”
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