A man who stabbed and raped a woman in Bagshot has been jailed for 14 years.

Craig Grace, 39, attacked the woman, who was known to him, with a knife in January. He stabbed her in the hand and raped her, threatening to kill her if she tried to escape.

She eventually fled and reported the attack to police. Grace fled to Wiltshire, where officers arrested him. He was charged and remanded in custody within 24 hours of her 999 call.

Following a trial, he was convicted of two counts of rape, sexual assault, grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm and threats to kill.

He was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday, September 29, and made subject to a lifetime restraining order protecting the victim.

In her victim impact statement, the woman described the lasting physical and emotional effects of the attack.

“I have a scar on my hand as a result of the injuries I sustained that night. Every time I see it, I am reminded of the violence I endured and the trauma I continue to live with,” she said.

“The events of that night were horrific and have fundamentally changed who I am.”

But she added: “I refuse to be defined solely by what was done to me. Instead, I choose to be defined by my courage, resilience, determination, and strength.”

Investigating officer DC Antonia Corbu paid tribute to the woman’s courage and resilience throughout the investigation.

“Within 24 hours of the 999 call reporting this horrific attack, Craig Grace had been charged and remanded and has not walked free since,” she said.

“I am grateful for the hard work from police officers across departments and forces that made this possible.”

Surrey Police said anyone wishing to report rape or sexual assault can do so through its online reporting form.