Lee Barker

Lee Barker, aged 47 from Liskeard, Cornwall, was convicted of three counts of rape following a trial at Truro Crown Court. The offences occurred in the Looe area approximately five years prior to his sentencing, targeting two separate victims just six months apart. Barker, who had a previous conviction for rape in 2012, presented a significant risk to women, as determined by the court.

Prosecutor Heather Hope detailed the first incident, where Barker met his victim online and invited her to his home. He provided her with alcohol, which she later suspected had been spiked, though this could not be proven. During the encounter, Barker subjected her to a violent rape. Notably, he informed her that evening of his prior rape conviction and mentioned keeping a knife by his bed, which contributed to her feeling trapped and unable to leave. The judge, His Honour Simon Carr, described how Barker enticed the victim to his home and carried out the assault, emphasising the coercive elements including the alcohol and threats.

• Barker raped the first victim after providing alcohol and revealing his criminal history.
• He kept a knife nearby, heightening the victim's fear.

The second offence took place in the victim's own home. Barker had 'love bombed' her, engaging in some consensual sexual activity initially, but he knew she did not want to proceed with the specific acts he forced upon her. Despite her clear lack of consent, he raped her. Ms Hope highlighted Barker's manipulation in this relationship, where he ignored the victim's boundaries. Judge Carr noted the dramatic impact on this victim and the striking similarities between the two assaults.

Representing Barker, Ramsay Quaife argued that the defendant suffered from a slight history of depression, exacerbated by his circumstances, and cited a psychiatric report suggesting his increasing age as a protective factor against future dangerousness. However, Judge Carr rejected any psychiatric explanation for the offending, pointing to Barker's clear attitude towards consent and his history of committing rapes against three women in total.

On 28 November 2025, at Truro Crown Court, Barker appeared via video link after being found guilty by a jury on 16 October 2025. Weeping as the sentence was read, he received a 26-year extended sentence comprising 18 years' imprisonment and an eight-year extended licence period. He was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. The sentencing reflected his substantial risk of harm to women, as stated by the judge: 'Despite your age you present a significant risk and substantial harm to women you meet in the future.' This case was reported by Cornwall Live, with images provided by Devon and Cornwall Police.