Lewis Hartley

Lewis Hartley, a 24-year-old man from Blackburn, Lancashire, was jailed for five years after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a woman in her home. The incident occurred in the early hours of 14 May 2023, following a night out in Darwen.

The court heard that Hartley had approached the victim during the evening, asking if he could go to her home, but she declined, stating she wanted to go to sleep. Despite this, later that night, Hartley entered the property along with one of the woman’s friends. Once the friend departed, Hartley pretended to be asleep. When the victim was alone, he attacked her, committing two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Afterwards, he used her mobile phone to call a taxi and left the scene.

Hartley was arrested two days later on 16 May 2023 and subsequently charged with the offences. He stood trial at Preston Crown Court in September 2023, where a jury found him guilty on all counts. On 10 November 2025, he returned to court for sentencing, where Judge [Name not specified in article] imposed a five-year custodial sentence. Hartley was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

• The attack took place at the victim's home in an unspecified location, likely near Darwen or Blackburn.
• Lancashire Police's East Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Investigation Team led the investigation.
• DC Claire Scott commented: 'Hartley took advantage of a vulnerable woman for his own sexual gratification. His offending has had a profound impact on her daily life as she describes so honestly in her victim impact statement. I want to praise the victim in this case for her bravery, and for having trust in the police to put her offender before the courts.'

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman described the devastating effects of the assault: 'I was enjoying a child-free weekend with friends and was out with a group of lads who I thought I could trust and feel safe with. I felt able to have a drink and a good time and wanted to be looked after, little did I know that the night would end so very badly and change my life forever.' She explained how the incident had 'turned her life upside down', leading to sleepless nights, anxiety, loss of confidence, and forcing her to move house to feel safe again. The statement highlighted her efforts to shield her children from the trauma, including delaying their return home and taking them on a last-minute holiday.

The case was reported by the Lancashire Evening Post, based on details from Preston Crown Court proceedings and Lancashire Police statements. Hartley, formerly of Minnie Terrace, Blackburn, was of no fixed address at the time of sentencing.