CRAIG BANKS SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN BLACKBURN, LANCS
A man identified as Craig Banks has been handed a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of sexually assaulting a woman during a Christmas gathering in Lancashire.Banks, aged 43 and residing on Bower Street in Blackburn, was involved in an incident on Boxing Day 2020 that resulted in his conviction.
The events unfolded at a festive social gathering where Banks was consuming alcohol and drugs alongside another man and a woman.
According to court proceedings, the party escalated into a situation that ultimately led to the assault.
During the trial at Preston Crown Court, it was detailed how, late on Christmas Day, the woman and the man she was with went upstairs to rest, heavily intoxicated from the excess of alcohol and drugs.
The woman and her companion had allegedly engaged in consensual sexual activity while in bed.
However, the situation took a darker turn when Banks decided to go upstairs and lie down beside the victim.
Banks then engaged in sexual intercourse with her, despite the fact that she was under the influence of alcohol and drugs to the extent that her capacity to consent was severely compromised.
The victim reported waking up to find Banks beside her, with her memory of events being fragmented and unclear, which was supported by DNA evidence that confirmed the act of sexual intercourse.
Her intoxication at the time meant she had no recollection of the assault.
The court was shown a victim personal statement in which she detailed the profound impact the incident has had on her mental health.
She expressed feelings of betrayal, describing a loss of trust in others and increased discomfort around unfamiliar people, especially men.
This incident has reportedly caused ongoing psychological distress and has led to issues within her family.
In her statement, she also conveyed how her life and well-being have suffered since the assault.
Banks' legal team submitted that he was 'deeply, deeply remorseful' for his actions and was 'mortified' by what had occurred.
The court heard that Banks now recognizes that the victim’s state of intoxication rendered her incapable of giving valid consent, and this acknowledgment was considered a genuine change in his perspective.
Judge Richard Gioserano delivered the sentence, acknowledging that Banks' impaired judgment due to intoxication was likely the primary factor behind his actions.
The judge remarked, "I am prepared to accept that you would never have committed this offence if you were not so heavily intoxicated.
Your capacity to judge whether she was consenting or not was very heavily impaired.
But it will come as no consolation to her and does not lessen the harm you caused." He further noted the sincerity of Banks’ remorse, stating, "There has been a shift in your thinking and you have now admitted that you accept she was so heavily under the influence she could not have been consenting to any sexual intercourse.
I am prepared to accept that change in your thinking is genuine and your remorse is genuine." Consequently, Banks was sentenced to five years in prison, and he will be subject to sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.
The legal outcome underscores the seriousness with which the court viewed his actions, emphasizing accountability and the ongoing impact on the victim.
