Michael Wilkinson

Michael Wilkinson, a 30-year-old man from west Hull, was convicted of rape following a trial at Hull Crown Court. The incident involved a vulnerable woman who was subjected to a drug-fuelled assault, during which Wilkinson ignored her repeated requests to stop.

The court heard from prosecutor Dale Brook that Wilkinson pushed the woman down and proceeded with the rape, despite her clear refusal to engage in sexual activity. 'She told him to stop but he wouldn't,' Brook stated, emphasising the non-consensual nature of the act. After the assault, the victim was left crying and in significant pain.

Wilkinson denied the rape charge during police interviews, insisting that the encounter was consensual and claiming the attack 'didn't happen and couldn't have happened'. However, a jury found him guilty of the offence, though he was cleared of a separate rape allegation.

The victim provided a powerful impact statement, detailing the profound psychological harm inflicted upon her. 'I was in so much pain and he didn't care. I was embarrassed and ashamed and he didn't care. He made me feel like I was nothing, just something for him to use,' she said. She further described feeling 'disgusting' and struggling with overwhelming anxiety and nightmares, stating, 'What he took from me can never be given back. I don't know if I will ever be able to trust anyone again. There is no hiding from memories.' Despite the trauma, she expressed relief at speaking out, noting, 'Everyone knows what he is.'

In mitigation, Charlotte Baines acknowledged the vulnerability of the victim at the time and described the offence as 'very unpleasant, to say the least'. She highlighted Wilkinson's prior compliance with a court order and his positive behaviour in custody, where he abstained from drugs and alcohol. Wilkinson had been working as a groundworker before his arrest at a probation office.

Deputy Circuit Judge Timothy Clayson condemned the act as a 'callous, self-centred act of rape carried out for your sexual gratification', attributing Wilkinson's downfall to drink and drugs. The judge noted the significant psychological harm caused to the victim. Wilkinson was sentenced to eight years in prison and required to register as a sex offender indefinitely, with an indefinite restraining order imposed.

The case was heard at Hull Crown Court, with reporting by Mark Naylor for Hull Live, published on 9 February 2026.