CARL WEST SENTENCED TO INDEFINITE IMPRISONMENT IN LEIGH FOR MULTIPLE SEX OFFENSES

In March 2012, Carl West, a 39-year-old man from South Avenue, Leigh, was sentenced to an indefinite period of incarceration after being convicted of heinous sexual offenses involving multiple victims. The court heard that West had committed a series of disturbing crimes, including the rape of two women and the sexual molestation of a 15-year-old girl, all of which took place over a span of nearly two years.

Judge John Roberts addressed the court, emphasizing the severity of West’s actions and the danger he posed to the community. He stated that West represented a significant risk of causing serious harm to the public, especially young women, and therefore, he would not be eligible for release until the Parole Board deemed it safe to do so. The judge clarified that West would serve a minimum of seven and a half years before he could even apply for parole, and he was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

During the sentencing, Judge Roberts highlighted that all three victims were particularly vulnerable due to their consumption of alcohol at the time of the assaults. The judge expressed his belief that West had deliberately exploited their vulnerability in a predatory manner. Victim impact statements revealed the profound and lasting effects the crimes had inflicted upon them, with the judge noting that it would likely take a very long time, if ever, for them to fully recover from their traumatic experiences.

It was revealed that West had begun his series of assaults by raping a teenage girl while she was asleep. He had also spent considerable time stalking one of his victims prior to the attack. The court heard that West was convicted by a jury of engaging in a 'course of sexual misconduct' between February 2009 and November 2010.

During the proceedings, it was also noted that West had been found guilty of raping and attempting to rape a 23-year-old woman, as well as sexually assaulting her. Additionally, he was convicted of raping a 32-year-old woman and sexually assaulting a teenage girl by penetration.

The Liverpool Crown Court detailed the circumstances of the crimes, including that the youngest victim, who had never met West before, was assaulted twice while she was at a friend’s house after a night out in Leigh in mid-February 2009. The 23-year-old victim was assaulted around Christmas time that same year, and West had begun stalking her. In May, while at her home with others, she awoke to find West molesting her. Later, on November 6, she awoke to find him raping her while she was sleeping on a couch. The third victim, also asleep in her own home, was awakened to find West, who had been drinking with others that evening, raping her.

Detective Constable Sheena Maerevoet of Wigan CID commented on the case, describing West as a 'predatory sex offender' who targeted women during their most vulnerable moments. She praised the bravery of the victims in coming forward and ensuring justice was served. The detective reassured the public that West would now be behind bars for a significant period, contributing to making the streets safer for women. She also encouraged other victims of similar crimes to report their experiences, emphasizing that all such cases are investigated thoroughly and sympathetically.