Jury find rapist who doused Preston woman in toilet water guilty

A man who 'tortured' and humiliated a woman he raped and assaulted is facing a lengthy jail term after being convicted by jurors.
Crown CourtCrown Court
Crown Court

Michael Joseph Ashcroft, 23, of Burnslack Road, Ribbleton, Preston, had denied two counts of rape, as well as causing actual bodily harm and two assaults.

He was found guilty following a trial lasting more than a week at Preston Crown Court.

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He was also convicted of a further offence under the Serious Crime Act 2015 which cannot be disclosed for legal reasons.

His victim, who was forced to give evidence from behind screens during the trial, described being doused in liquid and blinded by aerosols as part of the alleged “torture” and humiliation she suffered.

The complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also said she was attacked with razors and glass at an address in Preston, as well as being spat at and having toilet water and facewash poured over her head.

Ashcroft is said to have made her “sit on the floor” during the degrading incident.

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The complainant also said she had been whipped on the back with a phone charger and burnt with a cigarette.

Quizzed about the sexual attacks she added: “I just felt completely dead, empty. I didn’t feel like a person anymore.”

Judge Andrew Jefferies QC asked for a psychiatric report to be prepared before his sentencing on July 9.