DARREN NESBITT SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR RAPING WOMAN IN SOLIHULL

A man identified as Darren Nesbitt has been sentenced to a 12-year prison term after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses in Solihull. The 44-year-old offender, residing in Dorridge, was convicted of raping a woman and attempting to assault her on separate occasions, crimes committed while his partner was present and asleep nearby.

The disturbing incident unfolded after Nesbitt invited the 49-year-old woman to stay at his residence in Solihull. The context of her visit was triggered by a leak in her own accommodation, which had left her without running water. During her stay, Nesbitt took advantage of her vulnerability, according to police reports, by offering her alcohol and engaging her in smoking cigarettes in the garage attached to his property. As the woman consumed alcohol, Nesbitt allegedly groped her, an act that further compounded her distress.

The situation escalated when Nesbitt forced himself upon the woman in a spare bedroom, even as his partner slept in the next room. This heinous act occurred on August 22, 2014, a date that the victim later disclosed to colleagues before reporting it to authorities. The victim’s courage in confiding in a colleague proved pivotal in subsequent police investigations.

Initially, Nesbitt denied the allegations, claiming they were false. However, law enforcement tracked down additional evidence and identified another woman who testified that Nesbitt had sexually assaulted her at his home during the same year. Such corroboration underscored the severity of his crimes.

Nesbitt’s actions led to his arrest and subsequent trial at Birmingham Crown Court. The jury unanimously found him guilty of three counts of rape and one count of attempted rape, leading to a significant prison sentence. As part of his sentence, he is also required to sign the sex offender register for life.

Detention officer, Detective Constable Jon Barker of the West Midlands Police’s public protection unit, provided insight into the investigation. He stated, “Nesbitt invited the woman into his home and offered her his hospitality by cooking and plying her with alcohol. Then he attacked the woman while his partner retired to bed. It’s a shocking breach of trust and left the victim hugely distressed and struggling to come to terms with what happened.”

He added, “The victim did the right thing in disclosing the offences to us. She was a very credible witness at court and conducted herself impeccably. Nesbitt, however, kept changing his story, which clearly influenced the jury’s judgment. This case should reassure anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted that we take all reports seriously and will investigate thoroughly.”

Support for the victim was provided by specialist officers and RSVP Birmingham, a charity dedicated to offering help and support to survivors of sexual violence. Detective Barker emphasized the importance of such organizations in aiding victims through the legal process and recovery.