Man jailed for 17 years for sexual assaults on students in Manchester and Liverpool
Charles Goodwin was called "unempathetic and manipulative" by a judge
Last updated 21st Mar 2022
An "unempathetic and manipulative" rapist who attacked women in student accommodation has been jailed for 17 years.
Charles Goodwin, 21, was arrested for the rape of one woman in January 2020 but went on to attack two others after he was released while police investigated, Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday.
The court was told Goodwin, a student, had forced himself on his first victim in a taxi, before raping her three times in a "sustained attack" in which he slapped her and grabbed her throat in student accommodation in Manchester.
He was arrested but released on bail and then under police investigation, the court heard.
Sentencing, Judge Garrett Byrne said: "A shocking aspect of this case, it seems to me, is that after you were arrested for those matters you were released, initially on bail, then released under investigation and you went on to rape (the second victim) and sexually assault (the third victim) twice.
"The fact you were under investigation for the first set of offences did nothing to inhibit you or cause you to stop, in fact the reverse is true."
Goodwin's second and third victims were attacked in student accommodation in Liverpool, the court heard.
Judge Byrne said part of Goodwin's "modus operandi" was to get his victims drunk to take advantage of their vulnerability.
He added: "What was clear from all the evidence given by victims is that you had no care whatsoever as to whether or not they were consenting, their consent was a matter of complete indifference to you.
"You treated each of them not as a human being, deserving respect, but as a plaything or toy.
"You took the view once they were within your control you could do to them as you pleased."
He said he was satisfied Goodwin was dangerous and ordered an extended licence period of three years on top of his sentence.
The judge told Goodwin: "I saw you give evidence. You struck me as a highly intelligent, cold, unempathetic and manipulative person who knew perfectly well what you were doing was wrong."
Two of Goodwin's victims were in court with family members for the sentencing.
Matthew Curtis, prosecuting, read statements from the women, one who said she had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following the attack.
One woman said in her statement: "I now feel any control I did have can be stripped away from me by the whim of a man who just wants to get what he wants."
Another victim said she had lost trust in people and avoided situations where she would be drinking with men.
She said: "I am genuinely scared of drunk boys."
Katy Appleton, defending, said: "Mr Goodwin acknowledges some flaws in his behaviour, namely his arrogance and his attitude towards women."
She said he had a difficult relationship with his mother which had shaped his negative views towards women.
She told the court he was of previous good character and had been "excelling" at university and in employment.
Goodwin, of Hilbre Street, Liverpool, was found guilty following a trial of four counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration, one count of attempting to choke, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of sexual assault.