Clitheroe man jailed for eight years for raping woman as she slept

A pervert who raped a sleeping woman and laughed when she told him to stop has been jailed.

Thirty five-year-old Christopher Wood attacked the woman in June 22 at her home in East Lancashire.

He was arrested the same day but denied the offence but was charged with rape.

and he is a rapist.

In June 2022, the victim woke to find Wood raping her. When she told him to get off, he repeatedly laughed at her.

The attack happened at the victim’s home in East Lancashire.

Wood was arrested the same day and denied the offence.

He continued to deny the offence but was found guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court last month.

Wood, of Kay Street, Clitheroe, returned to the same court on Friday, where he was jailed for eight years and four months and given a 20-year restraining order.

Det Con Sarah Riley, of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Team, said: “Wood took advantage of his victim while she was in an extremely vulnerable state.

“He knew she was not consenting to what he was doing and continued his lies during his police interview and throughout the trial. The jury saw through those lies and delivered a guilty verdict.

“I want to take this opportunity to praise the victim for her bravery throughout this process and for trusting the police to hold the man who raped her to account and put him before the courts.

“I hope the outcome of this case encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward, confident that you will be believed and listened to, and that we will do everything in our powers to put the perpetrator before the courts.”

If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence, report it online via or call 101. If a crime is in progress always call 999.