A FLINTSHIRE man who laughed at his victim after raping her has been jailed. 

Allistair McHugh, from Penyffordd, appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court for sentencing on Friday (May 31). 

The 35-year-old had previously been found guilty of rape after a five-day trial which concluded in April of this year. 

The court heard that the offence occurred at McHugh's house in January 2017 - when McHugh was aged 27. 

Elen Owen, prosecuting, read out a victim personal statement on behalf of the victim. 

The victim said she has suffered "physical and psychological injury" due to the incident. 

She said: "I was left with nothing but flashbacks and horrible mental health."

The victim added that she has been left "wary" of people, especially men and that she's "not the person I was before". 

Mark Owen, mitigating, said McHugh is a "hardworking" man who has multiple character references for his dedicated charity work.

He added that McHugh was a man of previous good character and had no prior convictions. 

The judge, Recorder Wyn Lloyd-Jones, said: "You raped her, and at the end you humiliated her by laughing at her."

He praised the victim's courage for reporting the offence after keeping it to herself for a number of years.

He sentenced to McHugh to six years imprisonment, and made him subject to an indefinite restraining order from the victim. 

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Michael Starkey, who led the investigation for North Wales Police, said: “The victim has shown great resilience and courage in this case. Her bravery has shown that offenders of this serious crime can be brought to justice despite the time that has passed.

“The continued support provided to the victim from the dedicated Sexual Offence Liaison Officers and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors has also been invaluable.

“North Wales Police are committed to pursuing the most violent and dangerous of offenders against women and girls. I would encourage anyone who is subject to such abuse to contact us. You will be believed, and your information treated in the utmost confidence.”