Courtney Hutchinson, also known as DVS, kept his 20-year-old victim prisoner for three days

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

A man who raped and tortured a woman while keeping her prisoner for three days last February has been jailed for 23 years.

Courtney Hutchinson, a rapper and actor who went by the alias DVS, will also remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Police say the severe level of violence demonstrated Hutchinson’s “total disregard for the victim as a human being”.

Best known for the songs Hometown and Passion, he also played the part of a gangster in the British film, The Intent. In one scene he brands a man with a hot iron, which was also one of the ways he tortured his victim in real life, causing her severe burns.

Despite her horrific injuries, the 20-year-old victim managed to escape from his house and ran naked into the street where a member of the public found her. She suffered a fractured eye socket, broken nose, internal bleeding, a dislocated shoulder and a stab wound to the hand.

Her face was so swollen she was unrecognisable. The woman suffered 20 separate injuries and a lawyer on the case said her injuries were the worst he had ever seen.

Snaresbrook crown court heard that the victim was rushed to the Royal London hospital and continues to receive treatment for the injuries Hutchinson inflicted.

He pleaded guilty to GBH with intent, rape and false imprisonment despite an earlier tweet, posted from his Twitter account, seemingly proclaiming his innocence.

It said: “Whoever’s dumb enough to think I could rape a 17 year girl then so be it. But I could never be that guy. So carry on trying slander my name.”

Judge John Lafferty said Hutchinson “posed a serious threat to members of the public” as he jailed him for 23 years.

Detective Sergeant Jimi Tele, from Newham police, praised the victim’s “bravery and determination” in reporting her ordeal to the police. “Her resoluteness in coming forward and working with the police in securing the imprisonment of a truly dangerous offender is worthy of the highest recognition,” he said.

“Courtney Hutchinson subjected his victim to the most shocking and repeated levels of violence. It was her determination, in company with the skill of the investigation team, that allowed the full severity of the attack to be revealed and that ultimately led to Hutchinson’s arrest and conviction.

“The level of violence he inflicted was so severe it demonstrated his total disregard for the victim as a human being, subjecting her to levels of callousness and danger that are rarely seen.”

A statement from the filmmakers behind The Intent read: “We would like to release this statement expressing that in no way do we condone the actions and behaviour of the individual or any persons involved.

“Before the production of The Intent commenced [July 2014], all cast members were vigorously screened with respect to any criminal activity and gang affiliations before being allowed to participate.

“We would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the victim of the crime and hope that she makes a speedy recovery. Like most people, we are shocked and appalled by this heinous crime.”