A man who claimed to be a Mexican drug smuggler has been jailed after being convicted of raping a woman he met on a dating app.

Daniel Cox, pinned his victim down and raped her as she cried and told him of the pain she was in, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

During a trial, the jury was told on one occasion she escaped from a bathroom window after Cox locked her inside his home.

The victim told the court “this feels like hell and I want to die” as Cox was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Wednesday, July 12.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jailed - rapist Daniel Cox has been given ten years in prison Jailed - rapist Daniel Cox has been given ten years in prison (Image: Essex Police)

Judge Nicola Talbot-Hadley said: “She was no match for the forcefulness of your needs and control.

“You pestered her to have sex until she gave in although she was crying and in pain.”

During Cox’s trial, the jury was told how he met the victim via the dating app Tinder.

He later claimed to her that he was a Mexican drug smuggler and liked to be known as “The Mexican”.

Cox is also said to have hurt the victim with a knife and squeezed her throat so tightly she struggled to breathe during an argument.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sentence - Cox appeared before Ipswich Crown CourtSentence - Cox appeared before Ipswich Crown Court

He then locked her inside his house after they rowed during a night out in Colchester, leading her to escape through a window.

The woman said Cox “made my life hell”.

She bravely reported to the police what was happening and with the help of specialist officers, was able to get justice.

Cox, of Albany Gardens, Colchester, denied three offences of rape and single offences of false imprisonment and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour but was convicted earlier this month.

The jury cleared him of four further offences of assault by penetration and making a threat to kill.

Caroline Milroy, mitigating, said her client turned to drink and drugs following the death of his mother, who was “the glue of the family”.

Cox must sign the sex offenders register for life and a permanent restraining order was imposed banning him from contacting the victim.