Rapist dragged woman into woods before subjecting her to 'violent physical attack' near Preston

A man who told a woman she "deserved to die" after dragging her into a bridleway and raping her in Catterall has been jailed.
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Connor Fearon has been jailed for 10 years after appearing at Preston Crown Court today (Thursday, May 6).

The 25-year-old admitted charges of rape, sexual assault by penetration and attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle with intent to commit an indictable offence.

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Det Sgt Mark Nelson, of Lancaster CID, said: "Connor Fearon is clearly a dangerous man and I am satisfied that today's sentence reflects the gravity of the offending and will protect the public for some time to come."

Officers said Connor lured the vulnerable woman to a deserted bridleway in Catterallin the early hours of the morning of December 19 2020.

Fearon then launched a "sustained and violent physical attack" on the woman, during which he told her that she deserved to die.

He then produced a rope and put it around the victims' neck before raping her.

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Connor Fearon (pictured) has been jailed for 10 years.Connor Fearon (pictured) has been jailed for 10 years.
Connor Fearon (pictured) has been jailed for 10 years.
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Neighbours heard the woman's screams and called police who rushed to the area to find her severely traumatised.

Fearon had made off but was subsequently identified and arrested.

A length of rope was recovered at the scene along with yellow cable ties.

A search was carried out at Fearon's address and similar rope and cable ties were recovered from a shed at his home address.

Fearon launched a "sustained and violent physical attack".Fearon launched a "sustained and violent physical attack".
Fearon launched a "sustained and violent physical attack".
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"This must have been an absolutely terrifying and traumatic experience for the victim and I can only dread to think what may have happened had her screams not been heard," Det Sgt Mark Nelson added.

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