Jail end to cruel attacks

A MAN who committed an armed robbery at a Devonport business before forcing the female employee into his car at knifepoint and raping her at a caravan park has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Heath Lance Chatters, 42, was convicted of armed robbery, rape and assault in relation to the violent incident in September, 2015.

Representing himself, Chatters told the Supreme Court he was remorseful of the crimes.

“I have a conscience and don’t set out to hurt people,” he said before sentencing.

But Justice Michael Brett said Chatters appeared to have little insight into the seriousness of his conduct, and he had seen no signs of Chatters’ remorse during the long court process.

This process involved a disputed facts hearing at which the victim needed to give evidence and be put through cross-examination.

“You have a lengthy criminal history, which includes a number of violent crimes against women,” Justice Brett said.

The court heard Chatters repeatedly threatened to slit the woman’s throat during her ordeal and said he would harm her family and children if she resisted.

When the rape was interrupted by police knocking at the caravan park cabin door where Chatters had held the woman captive for almost three hours, he called her a “f...ing bitch”.

“It is difficult to imagine the sheer terror she felt during these events,” Justice Brett said.

“You treated her in a cruel and derogatory manner. She pleaded with you not to hurt her. Your criminal behaviour is of the most serious kind.”

The court heard the victim had since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and had not been able to return to work.

Justice Brett backdated the sentence to when Chatters was taken into custody on the night of the rape. His name will be placed on the sexual offenders list for 15 years.