'Abhorrent' Lancashire rapist caged for six years following assault on vulnerable young woman

A man has been jailed for raping a young woman.

Brian Matthews committed the offence at the victim’s home in East Lancashire.

She was described as vulnerable, with Matthews known to her.

In the weeks after the rape, Matthews sent Snapchat messages to his victim making admissions to the offence but saying it was her word against his.

When interviewed by our officers investigating the rape, he denied sending the messages.

However, officers were able to prove Matthews was the sender of the messages after tracing locations when the messages were sent from.

Matthews, 23, formerly of Nuttall Street, Accrington, was found guilty by a jury at Burnley Crown Court of a charge of raping a woman over the age of 16 following a week-long trial in June.

Returning to the same court for sentence today, Matthews was jailed for six years and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

He was also made subject of a 15-year restraining order regarding his victim who cannot be named as victims of sexual offences have lifetime anonymity.

Det Con Dan Healey of East Division’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, said: “Brian Matthews committed this abhorrent offence and I’m glad that the jury saw past his denials and convicted him.

“His victim had to relive her ordeal in court by giving evidence.

“If you have been the victim of sexual offences, please report it – Lancashire Police will listen to you, support you and thoroughly investigate so that we can put offenders before the court.”