Jefferson and Payne were each jailed for six months

A Tottenham man has been jailed for seven years for raping and sexually assaulting his ex-partner.

Delroy Clive Gordon, 52, of Park Lane, Tottenham, had been in a relationship with the victim for approximately two years before it broke down in Easter 2011.

When his victim told him to move out of her house in Plumstead, south-east London, Gordon hit her with a leather belt and raped her before leaving.

His ex-partner did not report the attack at the time, and Gordon continued communicating with the victim, often telling her that he wanted to end his own life. Out of concern for him she agreed to meet him in Tottenham on May 19 last year.

When they met he invited her to see a shop he was refurbishing in the area. But there he dragged her to the back of the shop, punched her in the face and arm and sexually assaulted her.

The victim later disclosed details of both attacks, and Gordon was arrested the day after the assault.

He maintained his innocence, forcing the victim to undergo a seven-day trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

A jury unanimously convicted Gordon of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault, and he was jailed on Friday, May 18.

Det Con Peter Thompson commended the victim for their bravery, adding: “This case highlights the importance of specially trained officers in the [sex offence team] Sapphire Command, who offer specialist advice, care and reassurance to victims of this type of crime.”