BEN GORNER SENTENCED IN STRETFORD FOR RAPE OF TWO YOUNG GIRLS IN THELWALL
| Red Rose Database
Stretford Rapist
In August 2020, Ben Gorner, a man residing on Radstock Road in Stretford, was sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of raping two young girls during his teenage years. The case was heard at Liverpool Crown Court, where Gorner appeared to face multiple charges of rape and sexual assault.
Gorner, now 32 years old, took the step of surrendering himself to the police following reports from the victims. The disturbing crimes, which occurred in Thelwall, first surfaced in 2013 when one of the women disclosed to authorities that she had been sexually assaulted during her childhood. Initially, after an interview with the police, the woman chose not to pursue the allegations further, possibly due to fear or trauma.
However, the situation changed in June of the following year when she reported the incidents again. During this renewed investigation, another young woman came forward, claiming that Gorner had also raped her. Confronted with the evidence, Gorner admitted to all charges during a police interview, acknowledging his guilt.
During the sentencing hearing, a victim impact statement was read aloud, revealing the profound emotional toll the abuse had taken on one of the women. She described living with overwhelming feelings of guilt and shame since the incidents. She explained, “It is difficult to express in words how these crimes have affected my life. I had depression in my teenage years and had a full breakdown after getting flashbacks of the abuse. I was terrified of everyone and was scared to live.”
Judge Garrett Byrne, presiding over the case, sentenced Gorner to eight years in prison. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the lasting damage caused by Gorner’s actions, stating, “Your abuse had long-lasting and serious effects on these women. It has affected every part of their lives — one girl made reference to self-harm and suicidal thoughts in her impact statement. You were a child when you committed these crimes, but you knew what you were doing was wrong.”
Furthermore, a lifelong restraining order was issued against Gorner, explicitly prohibiting him from making any contact with the two victims for the rest of his life, ensuring their ongoing protection from any potential harm or harassment.
Gorner, now 32 years old, took the step of surrendering himself to the police following reports from the victims. The disturbing crimes, which occurred in Thelwall, first surfaced in 2013 when one of the women disclosed to authorities that she had been sexually assaulted during her childhood. Initially, after an interview with the police, the woman chose not to pursue the allegations further, possibly due to fear or trauma.
However, the situation changed in June of the following year when she reported the incidents again. During this renewed investigation, another young woman came forward, claiming that Gorner had also raped her. Confronted with the evidence, Gorner admitted to all charges during a police interview, acknowledging his guilt.
During the sentencing hearing, a victim impact statement was read aloud, revealing the profound emotional toll the abuse had taken on one of the women. She described living with overwhelming feelings of guilt and shame since the incidents. She explained, “It is difficult to express in words how these crimes have affected my life. I had depression in my teenage years and had a full breakdown after getting flashbacks of the abuse. I was terrified of everyone and was scared to live.”
Judge Garrett Byrne, presiding over the case, sentenced Gorner to eight years in prison. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the lasting damage caused by Gorner’s actions, stating, “Your abuse had long-lasting and serious effects on these women. It has affected every part of their lives — one girl made reference to self-harm and suicidal thoughts in her impact statement. You were a child when you committed these crimes, but you knew what you were doing was wrong.”
Furthermore, a lifelong restraining order was issued against Gorner, explicitly prohibiting him from making any contact with the two victims for the rest of his life, ensuring their ongoing protection from any potential harm or harassment.