DANIEL BISHOP SENTENCED IN BRISTOL FOR DEPRAVED SEXUAL OFFENCES IN EMERSONS GREEN
A man from Emersons Green described as 'depraved' by the court has been convicted of a series of heinous sexual offences.Daniel Bishop, 43, obtained the controversial GHB 'date rape' drug from a Dutch website, Bristol Crown Court was told.
After slipping the drug into a woman's drink, he assaulted her while she was unconscious and then broadcast the abuse online.
The court heard that Bishop also arranged for other men to similarly abuse her, although they did not proceed.
Bishop pleaded guilty to three counts of rape, three attempted rapes, a sexual assault, and administering a noxious substance.
Judge James Patrick sentenced him to 14 years and eight months in prison, with an extended license period of eight years.
In his remarks, the judge described Bishop as a dangerous offender, stating, "You fall to be sentenced for a set of depraved offences.
What you did is, in my judgement, degrading and humiliating." The judge also ordered Bishop to register as a sex offender for life and prohibited him from working with children or vulnerable adults.
Prosecutor Giles Nelson explained that Bishop had drugged the complainant before arranging for a man to rape her, and that he himself raped her twice while she was unconscious.
The assault was then broadcast online.
Mr.
Nelson commented, "The defendant was frank about his feelings as a sexual predator.
He stated he preyed on prostitutes and said he had a sex addiction for which he had sought help." Defence lawyer Charley Pattison told the court that Bishop was suffering from mental health issues and addiction to alcohol, adding, "He is devastated by what he has done.
He has now, for the first time, come to terms with childhood experiences of trauma and how it may well have made him the person he is today.
He is beyond sorry for what he has done." Detective Constable Cheryl Aucott, leading the investigation, praised the victim’s bravery, noting, "Daniel Bishop has been convicted of a series of appalling offences following a sensitive and complex investigation.
The victim in this case has shown incredible bravery in supporting these court proceedings.
We hope this conviction encourages other victims of sexual offences to have the confidence to report incidents to us, so offenders can be brought to justice."
