ANDREW ORRELL SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN LANCASHIRE
A man named Andrew Orrell has been formally sentenced for committing a serious sexual offence in Lancashire, a crime that has left a lasting impact on his victim.The case, which was heard at Preston Crown Court, revealed disturbing details about the incident that occurred over a decade ago.
Andrew Orrell, aged 59 at the time of sentencing, faced charges related to the rape of a 15-year-old girl.
Although he maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to the charges, a jury found him guilty of the historic sexual offence.
The court heard that the assault took place during the summer of 2005, when Orrell was 41 years old.
According to court proceedings, the incident happened at Orrell’s flat in Lancashire.
The victim, who was just shy of her 16th birthday at the time, recounted that the assault occurred after Orrell stopped his car at a nearby shop to purchase alcohol.
The girl was in her home when Orrell entered her bedroom, claiming he would sleep on the sofa, but instead, he got into her bed and committed the rape.
The victim described feeling asleep when Orrell entered her bed.
She stated that she was asleep when he assaulted her and that she pretended to be asleep during the attack.
After the assault, she took a shower but reported feeling dirty and horrible, indicating the emotional and psychological trauma she endured.
The girl moved away from the Lancashire area shortly after the incident and did not hear from Orrell again until a year later, when he unexpectedly contacted her via Facebook with a message reading, "You're hot." The victim only reported the rape to authorities in 2020, after seeking therapy.
Prosecutor Sharon Johnson explained to the court that the victim felt the assault lasted an eternity, although it was only approximately 15 minutes.
She added that the victim struggled with feelings of shame and dirtiness, which have persisted over the years.
An impact statement from the victim revealed the profound and ongoing effects of the assault, including feelings of being frozen in time, difficulties with relationships, anxiety, depression, and struggles with personal hygiene, particularly showers.
During the trial, the defense highlighted that Orrell had no intention of contacting or visiting the victim again.
Orrell, who still denies the charges despite his conviction, also claimed that the victim falsely accused him of rape to obtain money.
His defense lawyer, Cathy McCluck, emphasized that the case was complex and that the defendant believed the victim had consented, a claim that the court found difficult to accept.
Judge Heather Lloyd sentenced Orrell to nine years in prison for the rape.
Additionally, he received a four-month sentence for breaching bail conditions.
The judge noted that Orrell’s repeated claims of innocence and his refusal to accept responsibility caused significant distress.
While he was not considered at risk of re-offending, the judge pointed out that his delay in accepting justice had prolonged the process.
Orrell will be eligible to apply for parole after serving six years of his sentence, and he will not be able to seek bail until then.
This case underscores the long-lasting impact of sexual violence and highlights the importance of justice for victims, even many years after the offence occurred in Lancashire.
