BLAKE RICHENS SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON IN BLACKPOOL FOR BRUTAL RAPE
In July 2014, a man named Blake Richens was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of raping a teenage girl in a Blackpool park.The incident involved a disturbing attack in Claremont Park, where Richens, then 22 years old and residing on Bond Street, Blackpool, assaulted a 15-year-old girl who had approached him for help while intoxicated.
The girl, who was 15 and drunk, had found herself on the street and trusted Richens, who appeared charming at the time.
He invited her to visit a friend’s house, but en route, he suddenly and violently attacked her, holding a knife to her and asking, “Which would you prefer, life or death?” After the assault, Richens claimed to have been influenced by his alter ego, Steven, stating, “When I’m Steven I’m nasty and when I’m Blake I’m nice.” He suggested that his alter ego was responsible for the crime and falsely claimed to have recently been released from jail for murder.
During the attack, the victim managed to take a black woollen glove from Richens, which contained his DNA.
She then escaped to a friend’s house for safety.
Richens denied the charges of rape, attempted rape, and serious sexual assault, which occurred in January of the previous year.
Ultimately, a judge issued a verdict of guilty by unanimous decision.
Judge Heather Lloyd remarked on the victim's bravery, saying, “She didn’t deserve in any way to be treated in such a terrifying fashion and I have no doubt the impact of this attack upon her will last for a long time.
Being attacked in such a way is every woman’s worst nightmare.” Richens, who was unaware he was being judged, claimed that the sexual activity was consensual and that the girl had never said no.
As part of his sentence, he will be registered as a sex offender for life.
