Brutal Knife-Point Rape Lands Offender 14 Years in Prison

A sex offender named Stephen Fagan, aged 41, from Holehills Drive, Airdrie, Scotland, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for a brutal and violent rape at knife point. The incident occurred in South Tyneside, where Fagan forcibly entered the victim's home by breaking a window. Inside, he confronted the woman, who he knew, and proceeded to tie her to her bed using ropes. Fagan then raped her while holding a knife to her throat, and repeatedly injected her with heroin, which he forced her to take. The court heard that he left her vomiting in the garden due to the overdose he administered. Fagan denied two counts of rape and two charges of administering a substance with intent to engage in sexual activity, but was found guilty on all four counts following a trial. The judge, Esmond Faulks, sentenced Fagan to 10 years for the rapes and an additional four years for the other charges, to be served consecutively. Fagan was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life. The judge described the case as "a very bad case of its type" and emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating, "This doesn't get much worse than this." Although there was mention of the possibility of an indeterminate sentence had Fagan been considered a significant risk, the 14-year sentence was deemed appropriate as it appeared to be a specific act directed at the victim, with no previous concerns involving the offender.