NEIL SHAW, CONVICTED RAPIST FROM CHESTER, BREACHES RESTRICTION AND IS SENTENCED AGAIN
A convicted rapist from Chester, Neil James Shaw, aged 37 and previously of Blacon, attempted to contact his victim weeks after being released from prison.Shaw was sentenced to eight years in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for life following his conviction for rape in June 2018.
He was released in December 2021 to serve the remaining part of his sentence on licence, but within just a few weeks, on February 4, he sent a Facebook friend request to his victim, Chester Crown Court heard on Thursday, April 14.
This action was a breach of an indefinite restraining order that prohibited him from making contact.
Shaw, who had been residing on London Road in Sandbach, was subsequently jailed for 18 months after admitting to the breach.
Judge Patrick Thompson stated, "Shaw had previously been convicted by a Chester Crown Court jury of rape, common assault, putting a person in fear of violence, and engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour.
He had also violated a restraining order before." The court also heard details of the rape, during which Shaw refused to stop despite the victim becoming upset and telling him to stop.
After the assault, Shaw allegedly remarked to her, "It's not rape if it's your bird." Following his 2018 conviction, the victim publicly shared her experience, saying, "If people read this article and are going through what I went through, I hope it gives them the strength to come forward.
People will believe you.
Nobody should make you feel that low about yourself when they are in the wrong.
If I have saved one person by sharing my story, that’s more than enough for me." This month at Chester Crown Court, a victim statement described her distress upon receiving Shaw’s Facebook friend request and her fear that he might visit her home.
Detective Constable Kelly Birch from Chester CID commented, "I welcome the sentence handed to Shaw and hope it acts as a warning to others.
Shaw knew about the restrictions against him, yet he still tried to contact his victim via Facebook, causing her unnecessary distress and anxiety.
Thankfully, the victim had the courage to report the breach, which resulted in Shaw being returned to custody."
