Man jailed for 18 years for Blackburn rape

Lee Barr, 27, has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life

Author: Louisa KingPublished 19th Aug 2024

A 27 year old man has been sentenced to 18 years for raping, strangling and biting a woman at a property in Blackburn.

She was understandably terrified of Lee Barr but showed incredible bravery and strength by telling us what he had done.

In a victim impact stamen, the woman wrote: “There are really no words which can explain how inhuman and humiliated I have felt, and it took a long time to finally speak out, and finally feel listened to, and believed. “

She continued: “I am slowly coming out of this nightmare, I am beginning to feel a little bit stronger. I am by no means fully recovered, and the process of recovery will be slow, I have no doubt I will carry the scars all my life.

“But I am determined for this not to beat me, I refuse to let it.”

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, we managed to secure charges against Barr.

He appeared in the dock at Preston Crown Court last month where a jury unanimously found him guilty of rape and sexual assault.

Barr, now of no fixed address but previously of Tythebarn Street, Darwen, returned to Preston Crown Court on Friday where he was jailed for 14 years. He was also given a further four year extended licence after a Judge deemed him to be dangerous.

Barr had previously been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DC Jo Billington, from our East Division, said: “Barr is a predatory individual who poses a real risk to women through his extremely concerning attitudes and behaviour.

“I welcome the sentence handed down today which reflects the seriousness of Barr’s offending.

“Finally, I would like to praise the victim for the incredible bravery she has displayed throughout this process and for the trust she placed in us to deliver justice in this case.”

If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence, report it online via or call 101. If a crime is in progress always call 999. First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.