Rapist who dragged victim into woods and told her she "deserved to die" jailed
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A rapist who dragged his victim into the woods and told her she "deserved to die" before strangling her with a rope, has been jailed for ten years.
Connor Fearon, 25, lured the vulnerable woman to a deserted bridleway in Catterall in the early hours of the morning.
He then launched a "sustained and violent" attack on the woman, 21, police said.
Fearon told her that she "deserved to die" and strangled her with a rope before raping her.
Neighbours heard the woman’s screams and called police who rushed to the area to find her severely traumatised.
Fearon had already fled the scene but was subsequently identified and arrested.
A length of rope was recovered at the scene along with yellow cable ties, following the attack on the morning of 19 December last year.
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A search was carried out at Fearon’s home and similar rope and cable ties recovered from a shed at his address.
He admitted charges of rape, sexual assault by penetration and choking, suffocating or strangling with intent to commit an indictable offence, at Preston Crown Court.
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Speaking after sentencing, Detective Sergeant Mark Nelson of Lancashire Police said: "This must have been an absolutely terrifying and traumatic experience for the victim and I can only dread to think what may have happened had her screams not been heard.
“Connor Fearon is clearly a dangerous man and I am satisfied that today’s sentence reflects the gravity of the offending and will protect the public for some time to come.”
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