Man jailed for life after raping woman in her home
The man offered to walk her home before violently assaulting her
A man has been jailed for life after raping and violently assaulting a woman in her own home in Burnley.
Christian Lewis, 34, attacked the woman—who is in her 40s—after offering to walk her home from a pub in August 2024.
Once inside her property, he grabbed her by the hair, assaulted her, made threats, and raped her. The woman managed to escape and reported the incident to police.
Lewis, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with rape, assault causing actual bodily harm, and non-fatal strangulation.
He admitted the offences at Burnley Crown Court earlier this year and was sentenced on Friday (May 2) at Preston Crown Court.
He received a life sentence with a minimum term of seven years, meaning he must serve at least that time before being eligible for parole.
Detective Constable Laura Jenkins from Lancashire Constabulary’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team said: “Lewis attacked his victim in the place she should feel the safest: her own home. We welcome the life sentence handed down today and hope this reassures the public that sexual offences will never be tolerated in Lancashire.”
Her colleague, DC Jodie Nolan, praised the victim’s courage throughout the investigation: “I want to commend her bravery. We take these offences extremely seriously, and I hope this case shows victims that they will be listened to and supported.”
The case is the latest in a series of convictions being highlighted by Lancashire Police as part of its ongoing commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.