Jail sentence for ‘brutal’ rape

Simon Gray had claimed that what took place between he and the victim had been consensual but today he starts his sentence after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

He was convicted by a jury of the offence, which took place last summer.

The 26-year-old of St David’s Road North, St Annes, was given eight years for the rape, two years prison for the sexual assault and another 12 months on top for an offence of initimidation.

He had been convicted of that single offence in an earlier trial.

His barrister told Preston Crown Court that Gray had committed no sexual offences in the past.

And it was the first time he had ever been sent to prison.

Judge Pamela Badley said it was a very serious case.

He will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Read the full story in The Gazette tomorrow