‘Dangerous’ rapist given sentence totalling nearly quarter of a century

A man has been jailed after admitting multiple rape charges.

41-year-old Martin Crossley was given a sentence totalling nearly a quarter of a century when he appeared in court for sentencing on Monday.

In 2022 police launched an investigation into his abhorrent offending after information came to light that he had raped a woman on multiple occasions in Preston and East Lancashire.

He told one witness he ‘saw women as a piece of meat’ and referring to the victim he said: “I’ve had sex with her when she’s been asleep and after she’s said no.”

In 2023 police received further information that Crossley had raped a teenage girl.

Crossley, of no fixed address, was charged with five counts of rape.

He pleaded guilty to all five counts when he appeared at Preston Crown Court earlier this year.

Crossley returned to the same court on Monday where he was jailed for 19 and a half year and given a further five-year extended licence period after a Judge deemed him to be a dangerous offender.

In an impact statement to the court, Crossley’s first victim spoke about how the defendant had destroyed her life.

She continued: “I could never describe enough how much I hate Martin for what he has done, he does not deserve to use up the oxygen of another human being. I want to be able to move forward with my life finally.”

She added: “Martin Crossley is a dangerous sexual predator, and I do not want anyone else to be at risk from suffering at the hands of him.”

DC Alyson Richards, from the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “No words I can say will ever truly reflect the impact Crossley’s perverted and deviant behaviour has had and continues to have on his victims.

“I hope the sentence Crossley has received will allow them to begin to rebuild their lives knowing their attacker is behind bars for a long, long time.

“I want to take this opportunity to place on record my thanks to both victims for the bravery they have shown throughout this process and for the trust they placed in us to bring Crossley to justice.”

“Abhorrent behaviour, such as that displayed by Crossley, will not be tolerated by Lancashire Police. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a sexual offence report it online via https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/ or call 101. You should do so knowing you will be believed, you will be listened to, and we will do everything in our power to put the perpetrator before the courts.”