CONNOR PENNELL SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND CONTROL IN SKELMERSDALE AND WIGAN

Connor Pennell, a 27-year-old resident of Vines Cross Way in Skelmersdale, has been handed a severe prison sentence of nine and a half years at Bolton Crown Court for a series of grave criminal offenses. The court's decision follows a detailed investigation into his actions, which included a range of serious charges such as breaching a restraining order, committing rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behavior, non-fatal strangulation, and three counts of voyeurism.

These disturbing crimes came to light through the discovery of footage captured on a baby monitor, stored on Pennell’s phone. The footage revealed him raping a woman who was in a controlling relationship with him, a revelation that shocked the court and the community alike. The investigation was initiated after concerns about Pennell’s conduct were raised in July 2024, when authorities in Wigan spoke with the victim, who was living under his oppressive control.

Prior to these events, Pennell had already been charged with assault and strangulation, and a harassment order had been issued against him. Despite these legal measures, his abusive behavior persisted, leading to further charges in July 2024. The court heard that Pennell employed manipulative tactics to maintain control over his victim, including threats to release intimate images if she accused him of breaching the restraining order. His conduct was both physically violent and emotionally abusive, with messages exchanged over an extended period that demonstrated his pattern of coercion and intimidation.

When arrested, Pennell claimed innocence and suggested that his phone would clear his name. However, investigators recovered data that proved he had intentionally recorded footage of the offenses using the baby monitor without the victim’s knowledge. This evidence was pivotal in securing his conviction.

The victim, who bravely testified in court, described the profound trauma she endured. She stated, "Before I met Connor, I was a fun, confident, loyal young girl with many friends and a loving family. He essentially destroyed my life and changed my future. I'm no longer the same person. He made me relive everything through court, causing flashbacks and trauma. I hope his sentence encourages other domestic violence and sexual crime victims to come forward. Recovery is long, especially the mental scars, but I am learning to love myself again. Connor is a danger to women and children, and I pray today’s sentencing reflects the damage one man can cause."

Detective Constable Amy Stewart described Pennell as extremely dangerous and noted his blatant disregard for women’s safety. She praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward and urged anyone experiencing controlling or abusive relationships to seek help. Stewart emphasized that no one should suffer in silence and that support is available for those in need.

Following his conviction, Pennell will be registered as a sex offender and is subject to an indefinite restraining order preventing any contact with the victim. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing domestic abuse and the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from such predatory behavior.