WORKINGTON MAN JAILED FOR RAPING SLEEPING VICTIM
A man named Neil Bell, aged 52 and residing on Walls Road in Salterbeck, Workington, has been convicted and sentenced for the heinous crime of raping a woman while she was asleep.The incident, which took place on October 17, 2015, involved Bell encouraging the intoxicated victim to drink heavily, including sending her a text message that said, 'Get it down your neck.' The woman, after consuming eight or nine cans of alcohol, fell asleep on a sofa and was later awoken by Bell, only to eventually realize that she had been sexually assaulted during her sleep.
During the trial at Carlisle Crown Court, it was established that Bell had tried to kiss the victim when she made it clear she did not want to engage in sexual activity.
Bell had also encouraged her to drink more alcohol, which eventually incapacitated her.
When she was asleep, Bell removed her clothes and raped her without her consent.
Despite his denial of the charges and claims that she was a willing participant, the jury found him guilty unanimously.
The court heard that Bell, who showed no remorse and was in poor health, was influenced by the devastating emotional effects on the victim, who felt like a shadow of her former self and often dwelled on what had happened.
Judge Peter Davies sentenced Bell to seven years in prison and mandated that he register as a sex offender indefinitely.
He is also prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults.
Throughout the trial, Bell’s defense argued that he was of previous good character and had not spiked her drinks or forced alcohol consumption.
Nevertheless, the judge confirmed that Bell had intended to have sexual intercourse with her, with or without her consent, and that he had managed to persuade her to drink excessively, leading to her incapacitation and subsequent assault.
