Convicted of raping a woman on Boxing Day 2020.

Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Boxing Day Rape

Craig Banks, 43, of Bower Street, Blackburn, has been sentenced to five years in prison for raping a woman on Boxing Day 2020.

Preston Crown Court heard that Banks, who had been drinking and taking drugs with a man and a woman at a Christmas party, went upstairs to bed with the victim while she was heavily intoxicated and unable to consent.

The victim woke to find Banks beside her, with only fragmented memories of the incident. DNA evidence confirmed that sexual intercourse had taken place, but the victim had no recollection due to her intoxicated state.

In a victim personal statement, the woman described the devastating impact the incident had on her mental health, leading to family issues and a general lack of trust in others.

In mitigation, the court heard that Banks was "deeply, deeply remorseful" for his actions and "mortified" by what had happened.

Sentencing Banks, Judge Richard Gioserano acknowledged that his intoxication had significantly impaired his ability to judge whether the victim was consenting.

"Your capacity to judge whether she was consenting or not was very heavily impaired. But it will come as no consolation to her and does not lessen the harm you caused," Judge Gioserano said.

The judge recognized Banks' genuine remorse and change in thinking, accepting that he now understood the victim's inability to consent.

Banks was sentenced to five years in prison and will be subject to sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.