Paul Devaney

Paul Devaney, a 42-year-old man from Stockton, carried out a sadistic sexual attack on a woman in early 2023, shortly after his release from a previous 10-year prison sentence for assaulting a pregnant woman.

The incident occurred when Devaney locked the victim in a flat, refused to let her leave, and raped her. He filmed himself threatening her, capturing footage where he stood on her face, hit her across the back, and taunted her by saying, 'You don't know what's happening next.' The victim managed to call the police from the flat during the ordeal. After the rape, Devaney frogmarched the naked woman down the stairs and threatened to put her out on the street.

Prosecutor Shaun Dodds informed the court that police recovered the video footage Devaney had filmed, which showed him taunting and threatening the victim. In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman described the profound trauma she endured, stating, 'I was that scared I barricaded my door at night. I'm scared of any man who passes, or comes close to me. I have nightmares about what happened. I get flashbacks.' She also revealed that she had attempted to take her own life as a result of the attack.

Devaney, residing on Stockton High Street, admitted to the charges of false imprisonment and rape. His sentencing was delayed after he assaulted a prison guard while on remand at Holme House prison; the guard reported having to use a board to push Devaney back to safely exit the cell. In mitigation, defence counsel Paul Abrahams highlighted Devaney's difficult childhood.

At Teesside Crown Court, Judge Aisha Wadoodi addressed Devaney via video link from Holme House prison, noting that the victim had been 'completely petrified' and that 'Your behaviour reveals a sadistic temperament.' The judge handed down a life sentence with a minimum term of eight years, stipulating that Devaney would remain on licence for the rest of his life if released. The victim watched the proceedings in court as the sentence was passed.

This case was reported by Teesside Live, with court reporting by Esther Halligan, based on details from the hearing on 9 January 2026.