DARREN CALLAGHAN FROM SOUTHSEA JAILED FOR RAPE AND ASSAULT IN RUGBY

In December 2019, a man was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of heinous crimes committed in Rugby. Darren Callaghan, aged 49 and residing on Bonchurch Road in Southsea, Hampshire, was convicted at Warwick Crown Court of multiple serious offenses, including rape, assault, and administering a substance with the intent to stupefy or overpower his victim to facilitate sexual activity.

The incident unfolded in March when Callaghan met the victim through a dating application. After establishing contact online, he traveled from his home in Southsea to meet her in Rugby. The court was told that the meeting involved going out for drinks, but the situation took a dark turn as Callaghan proceeded to drug the woman without her knowledge.

According to court proceedings, Callaghan administered a substance to the victim, rendering her vulnerable. He then carried out a brutal assault and raped her, inflicting numerous injuries on her arms, legs, and face. The assault left the victim physically and emotionally scarred, with her waking the following morning with only hazy memories of the events that transpired.

During her recovery, the victim recounted that Callaghan bizarrely claimed she had been possessed by a demon, a statement that underscored the disturbing nature of the ordeal. The victim reported the attack to the police, leading to Callaghan’s arrest at his residence a few days later. His arrest and subsequent conviction highlight the severity of his crimes and the justice served in this case.