A RAPIST who threatened his victim with an imitation gun has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years.

James Samuel Bloor, 21 bombarded his victim with text messages in an attempt to get her to drop her allegation, a court was told.

Mold Crown Court heard claims the intimidation culminated in an incident when he produced an imitation gun and threatened to shoot her.

Bloor, who at the time lived in Coedpoeth but who had since moved to Stoke-on-Trent, denied charges of assault, rape, intimidation and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

But he was convicted by the jury of eight men and four women last month.

Yesterday Judge Philip Hughes said he struck his victim to the head about 10 times. He then decided he wanted sex.

She made it clear she did not want sex with him, but he carried on anyway.

He later bombarded her with threatening text messages and on New Year’s Eve in Wrexham produced a realistic imitation firearm, showed it to her and threatened to shoot her.

In evidence to the trial jury Bloor had said they had consensual sex. He would not have had sex with her if she had refused, he said.

John Hedgecoe, defending yesterday, said Bloor maintained his denials.

He had been born in this country but went to school in Kenya, and while he appeared confident on the outside it was clear he was immature.

Bloor had worked solidly since leaving school and would emerge from prison a useful member of society, Mr Hedgecoe said.

After the hearing, Det Insp Dave Spencer, who leads North Wales Police eastern division on investigations into rape and serious sexual offences, said: “This offence was domestic related and difficult to investigate.

“However, this case shows the dedication and commitment of North Wales Police in bringing offenders to justice.”

Det Sgt Arwyn Jones, who supervises the Serious Sexual Offences Unit in Eastern Division, said: “This is an excellent result for the victim of this offence.

“It shows how the heavy investment that North Wales Police have committed to the investigation of reports of rape and serious sexual offences is achieving its aim.

“Victims of such offences should feel that they can contact North Wales Police knowing the crimes will be thoroughly investigated and that they will be given the all the necessary support offered by the police and our partner agencies.”