SCOUT CAMP OFFENDER MICHAEL DRINKWATER OF ACCRINGTON JAILED IN 2007 FOR SEXUAL ABUSE
| Red Rose Database
Accrington Rapist
In June 2007, Michael Drinkwater, a 36-year-old member of the Scouting Fellowship from Exchange Street, Accrington, was sentenced to indefinite imprisonment after being convicted of multiple sexual offences involving a schoolgirl and a minor girl. The court heard that Drinkwater, a volunteer not affiliated with any Scout leader role but supporting the Scout network, had repeatedly sexually abused a girl who was just 13 when the first incident occurred, including taking her virginity in 14 separate instances. He also fondled another girl.
Burnley Crown Court was told that Drinkwater groomed and corrupted his victims, adopting a lax attitude towards the girls staying at Bowley Scout Camp in Great Harwood. Prosecutor Alexandra Simmons described how he offered the girls alcohol, encouraged them to play 'dirty dare' games, and talked about sex openly. She revealed that Drinkwater even brought along a collection of sex toys.
During the sentencing, Judge Jonathan Woolman highlighted concerning findings in a pre-sentence report, noting that Drinkwater was attempting to blame the girl for being 'sexually precocious.' The judge remarked, "So long as you have that attitude there is a risk of you committing the offences again and causing serious psychological harm to others."
Drinkwater was found guilty of assault by penetration, three counts of rape, and one of sexual activity with a child, all committed between March 2005 and the end of 2006. He put his hand over the rape victim's mouth to silence her during the assaults. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to serve a minimum of four years and 286 days before the Parole Board considers his release. He was also banned from working with children and registered as a sex offender for life.
The case came to light after another girl’s mother reported suspicious text messages on her daughter’s phone, believed to be from Drinkwater. The police interviewed the girl, who disclosed that Drinkwater had sex with one of her friends, possessed sex toys and porn DVDs which he played in her presence, making her uncomfortable. She also told officers that she had overheard Drinkwater asking the rape victim for sex.
Further police interviews revealed that the victim had been indecently touched by Drinkwater a few weeks after her 13th birthday, which left her shocked and upset. She described the subsequent rape, where she was crying, telling him to stop, struggling but unable to move. She recounted that Drinkwater had sex with her on multiple occasions, sometimes covering her mouth to silence her cries. The girl expressed that these experiences left her emotional, tearful, and distrustful of others.
Defending, Paul Humphries stated that Drinkwater, who had no prior convictions, was very forthcoming about his actions and maintained he had done nothing wrong, asserting that he would address his behavior while in custody.
Burnley Crown Court was told that Drinkwater groomed and corrupted his victims, adopting a lax attitude towards the girls staying at Bowley Scout Camp in Great Harwood. Prosecutor Alexandra Simmons described how he offered the girls alcohol, encouraged them to play 'dirty dare' games, and talked about sex openly. She revealed that Drinkwater even brought along a collection of sex toys.
During the sentencing, Judge Jonathan Woolman highlighted concerning findings in a pre-sentence report, noting that Drinkwater was attempting to blame the girl for being 'sexually precocious.' The judge remarked, "So long as you have that attitude there is a risk of you committing the offences again and causing serious psychological harm to others."
Drinkwater was found guilty of assault by penetration, three counts of rape, and one of sexual activity with a child, all committed between March 2005 and the end of 2006. He put his hand over the rape victim's mouth to silence her during the assaults. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to serve a minimum of four years and 286 days before the Parole Board considers his release. He was also banned from working with children and registered as a sex offender for life.
The case came to light after another girl’s mother reported suspicious text messages on her daughter’s phone, believed to be from Drinkwater. The police interviewed the girl, who disclosed that Drinkwater had sex with one of her friends, possessed sex toys and porn DVDs which he played in her presence, making her uncomfortable. She also told officers that she had overheard Drinkwater asking the rape victim for sex.
Further police interviews revealed that the victim had been indecently touched by Drinkwater a few weeks after her 13th birthday, which left her shocked and upset. She described the subsequent rape, where she was crying, telling him to stop, struggling but unable to move. She recounted that Drinkwater had sex with her on multiple occasions, sometimes covering her mouth to silence her cries. The girl expressed that these experiences left her emotional, tearful, and distrustful of others.
Defending, Paul Humphries stated that Drinkwater, who had no prior convictions, was very forthcoming about his actions and maintained he had done nothing wrong, asserting that he would address his behavior while in custody.