WINSFORD MAN SENTENCED FOR RAPING SLEEPING WOMAN
A former Hartford pupil, Graham Kettlewell, aged 27 and residing on Crossfield Avenue, Winsford, has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison after being found guilty of raping a woman while she was asleep.The incident occurred in the early hours of January 17, when Kettlewell accompanied the victim home.
She went to bed, but later woke up to find him on top of her.
She objected and left the room before Kettlewell exited the house.
She later confronted him through a phone call and text messages before reporting the incident to the police.
Kettlewell was subsequently arrested, charged with rape, and after pleading not guilty, was convicted at an earlier hearing.
He has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.
The court hearing took place at Chester Crown Court on August 7.
DC Sophia Haywood emphasized the devastating impact on the victim, noting her emotional and mental distress, withdrawal, and distrust in men.
She stated, "The impact on the victim has been devastating.
The rape has left her confidence in tatters.
She has suffered emotionally and mentally, becoming withdrawn and deeply distrusting of men, but with support from family, friends and specialists – and with justice being done – we hope she can start to try and rebuild her life." She further explained, "The victim was asleep which was clearly an indication she was unable to consent.
I hope this conviction goes as a warning to people that if a man or a woman is unable to consent, that is rape and you will be arrested and put before the courts.
If the person is too drunk, unconscious or even changes their mind, it means no.
As we have seen in this case, ignoring this can have far reaching consequences not only for the victim, but for the offender – affecting not only the offender’s liberty, but the rest of their life."
