Man jailed for sexually assaulting homeless woman in Blackpool

A man has been jailed for 13 years for sexually assaulting a homeless woman in Blackpool.

Published 15th Jun 2016

A man has been jailed for 13 years for sexually assaulting a homeless woman in Blackpool.

In a separate incident, 28-year old Paul Mansfield, of no fixed adress, also tried to attack a Glasgow woman on a night out in the town.

The first incident occurred on Tuesday 17 June 2014 when Mansfield befriended a homeless woman. He took her to a flat on Charnley Road where he raped her.

On Thursday 9 September whilst on bail for the first offence, Mansfield befriended a woman visiting from Glasgow who was on a night out in Blackpool. He offered to take her back to her hotel in a taxi. They ended up on Loftus Avenue where he dragged the woman down an alley and held his hand over her throat whilst trying to assault her.

She was able to push him off and ran away. Mansfield stole her handbag and bank card during the attack, using it to withdraw money at a nearby cash machine.

Rock FM reporter Amy Scarisbrick was at the hearing at Preston Crown Court:

A jury found him guilty of rape and sexual assault during a trial at Preston Crown Court.

Detective Constable Lisa Wainwright says he posed a significant risk to the public:

On sentencing, the judge said Mansfield showed no remorse towards his victims.