A Blackpool man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting to raping a woman in Bolton and being involved in a separate drugs conspiracy.
Mark Watson, 46, of Lowrey Terrace, Blackpool, was handed the combined sentence at Bolton Crown Court today following his guilty pleas to both offences. The court imposed eight years for rape and an additional two years for the drugs conspiracy matter.
Watson admitted raping a woman in Bolton in April 2024 after being arrested by Lancashire Police in Blackpool shortly after the incident.
Court Proceedings
The 46-year-old pleaded guilty to the rape charge at Manchester Crown Court on 17 February this year, having been in custody since his arrest in April 2024.
At today’s sentencing hearing at Bolton Crown Court, Watson received eight years in prison for the rape offence.
He was additionally sentenced to two years imprisonment for a separate drugs conspiracy matter following an investigation by Lancashire Police, bringing his total sentence to 10 years.
Victim Impact
The court heard a powerful victim impact statement from the woman Watson raped, who described the devastating effect the attack has had on her life.
Even though I know that he is in prison, I still have constant thoughts about seeing him or seeing his car around every corner,” she told the court.
The victim revealed she has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following the attack and continues to struggle with her mental health.
“I have been through therapy and counselling – this has and will take a lot out of me emotionally as I am having to relive my trauma and my therapists believe I have PTSD,” she stated.
She added: “This has hugely affected my mental health and I struggle to trust people.
Police Response
Lancashire Police arrested Watson in Blackpool in April 2024 following the rape incident in Bolton. The force also conducted a separate investigation into his involvement in drugs conspiracy offences.
Greater Manchester Police, who dealt with the rape investigation in Bolton, worked closely with Lancashire Police to ensure Watson was brought to justice for both sets of offences.
The case highlights the collaborative work between police forces across the North West in tackling serious sexual offences and drug-related crime.
Sentencing Details
The combined 10-year sentence reflects the severity of Watson’s offences and the impact on his victim. The rape conviction alone carried an eight-year term, demonstrating the court’s stance on sexual violence.
The additional two years for the drugs conspiracy matter shows Watson was involved in serious criminal activity beyond the sexual offence.
Watson will be required to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole consideration.
Registration Requirements
As a convicted sex offender, Watson will be subject to notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act. He will be required to register with police and notify them of any changes to his circumstances.
These requirements will continue after his release from prison, with the length of registration dependent on his sentence length.
Watson will also likely face a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, restricting his activities and contacts upon release to protect the public from further offences.
Support for Victims
The case serves as a reminder that support is available for victims of sexual assault. Various organisations provide confidential help and counselling services for those affected by sexual violence.
Victims are encouraged to report incidents to police, who have specialist officers trained to investigate sexual offences sensitively and professionally.
The victim’s courage in coming forward and supporting the prosecution has resulted in a dangerous offender being removed from the community for a significant period.
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