GLENROY BARNES FROM COVENTRY SENTENCED OVER RAPE IN WARWICKSHIRE
A man from Coventry, Glenroy Barnes, has been sentenced to over 12 years in prison after being convicted of raping a 76-year-old woman while she was walking her dog.The sentencing took place at Warwick Crown Court on November 20, where Barnes, aged 27, received a sentence of 12 years and nine months, along with an extended five-year sentence for sexual assault.
Barnes had previously pleaded guilty to the charges before the trial, although he initially entered a not guilty plea on his first hearing.
The incident happened in a Warwickshire village in the Rugby area when Barnes was also walking his husky-type dog.
On February 7, he approached the elderly woman, attempted to engage her in conversation, then forcibly dragged her into a ditch and carried out the assault.
Prosecutor Siobhan Collins explained at court that Barnes had a history of convictions including robbery, violence, and exposure.
She described how the victim spotted Barnes lying in a nearby field and tried to avoid him.
Ms.
Collins recounted, "The defendant grabbed her around her body.
She screamed and told him to stop, but he dragged her to the grass verge and pushed her down into a ditch, causing immediate pain to her hip, and he went into the ditch after her." Barnes then threatened her life before assaulting her sexually.
After the attack, Barnes forced the woman to promise she would not report the incident to the police.
He then walked back with her towards her village.
When she eventually slumped onto the bonnet of a car and other occupants checked on her wellbeing, Barnes confronted them before walking away.
Witnesses helped the victim into their home and called emergency services.
Barnes was later connected to the crime through DNA evidence and blood found under his fingernails.
In a victim impact statement, the woman described the emotional toll of the assault, feelings of needing to wash herself, but also expressed her resolve not to let the trauma defeat her.
Defence solicitor Peter Cooper stated that Barnes had little recollection of the incident, but accepted that forensic evidence pointed to his guilt.
Cooper explained that Barnes had been intoxicated and was not taking his ADHD medication at the time.
He also mentioned Barnes had written a remorseful letter and wanted to apologize for the terrible ordeal.
Judge Andrew Lockhart QC sentencing Barnes commented on the severity of the case: "I have read her victim impact statement.
Rarely are such statements so moving.
This has had an enormous impact on that person." He highlighted Barnes' criminal history, which includes violence and a 2015 wounding conviction, calling attention to disturbing aspects of his psyche.
On the specifics of the rape, the judge said: "He grabbed her and threw her into a ditch, and immediately the sexual offences began.
He got her out of the ditch and moved her along.
I have absolutely no doubt he was moving her to another location, and that the offences would not stop.
This is one of the gravest offences of rape one can imagine.
There was degradation and humiliation, and there was violence and threats beyond what was required for the offence." The judge declared Barnes a significant danger to the public, ordering an extended sentence that requires him to serve at least two-thirds of his term before possible release.
Post-release, Barnes will be on licence for the rest of his sentence and an additional five years, and he is ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.
CPS representative Kanwal Juss stated, "These offences have traumatised the 76-year-old victim and, despite overwhelming evidence, Barnes chose to plead not guilty until just days before the trial, causing further distress.
The CPS supports victims and seeks justice, and we hope this sentence provides some comfort.
The evidence against Barnes included the victim’s account, identification by three witnesses, and DNA evidence from nail scrapings." This case underscores the severity of the crime and the justice served in Coventry’s neighbour, Warwickshire.
