A man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the horrific rape of a woman in an Ipswich hotel, during which he ignored her repeated cries for him to stop.
Details of the Attack
Liam Patrick Blanchfield, 25, formerly of Barrack Road, Northampton, subjected his victim to a brutal sexual assault at a hotel in Ipswich on June 28 last year. Despite the woman telling him numerous times to stop, he continued the attack and also subjected her to verbal abuse.
Blanchfield was arrested shortly after the incident and was subsequently charged with one count of rape and two counts of assault. He appeared before a jury at Northampton Crown Court on February 24, where he was found guilty of all charges.
Sentencing
He returned to the same court on Wednesday, June 15, where he was sentenced to seven years in prison. In addition to the prison term, the judge imposed an indefinite restraining order against the survivor, prohibiting Blanchfield from contacting her or approaching her in the future.
Victim's Response
Following the conclusion of the case, the survivor expressed relief, stating that she feels she can now live in peace for the next few years. Her bravery in coming forward and supporting the investigation was commended by the lead investigator, PC Kimberly Streuli.
PC Streuli said: “I would like to commend the survivor in this case for her remarkable bravery in coming forward and supporting this investigation. The strength she has shown has been instrumental in securing this conviction and ensuring a dangerous offender is held accountable for his actions.”
Police Commitment
“Northamptonshire Police take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously,” she added. “Tackling violence against women and girls remains a key priority for the Force, and we are committed to supporting victims and pursuing offenders relentlessly. I hope this outcome reassures others that they will be listened to, supported, and believed when they come forward.”
If you have been affected by any themes in this story, you can call Rape Crisis for free 24 hours a day on 0808 500 2222. You can also visit the website to start a free online chat.
