2014: MAN JAILED FOR ATTEMPTING TO RAPE STRANGER AFTER OFFERING TO HELP HER
A 29-year-old man has been sentenced to prison for attempting to assault a woman in Bolton town centre, after initially offering to protect her during a dispute.Door staff responded after hearing the victim’s screams from Princess Street, near Courtney’s on Bradshawgate.
The Crown Court in Bolton was told that security personnel found Matthew Broughton with his trousers around his ankles, lying atop the woman whose jeans had been pulled down.
The incident occurred early on Friday morning, November 22 of the previous year.
Prosecutor David Toal explained that the 28-year-old woman was approached outside Courtney’s by a woman who falsely accused her of stealing a mobile phone.
The woman pushed her onto the ground and then climbed on top of her.
Broughton, from Cow Lees in Westhoughton, intervened in her defense, leading both of them into an alleyway to escape the attacker.
Mr.
Toal added that Broughton attempted to flirt with and kiss the woman, becoming violent when she did not give consent.
He forcefully subjected himself to her, bit her face, and made threatening remarks about her death.
He also pulled her jeans down and struck her head against the ground, the court was told.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, raised the alarm through her crying and shouting, saying “stop it”.
Broughton then struggled with the door staff as his trousers were around his ankles, and later falsely claimed that the woman was his sister-in-law.
The victim described her injuries, stating, “he has beaten me black and blue.
My body is a mess”.
She was found to have bruises and cuts on her face, a mouth injury, a bite mark beneath her right eye, and additional bruising elsewhere.
Defense lawyer Colin Buckle acknowledged that Broughton admitted to attempting to rape the woman.
He explained that Broughton was unable to process what happened, as he was on a night out, saw the argument, and intervened.
Mr.
Buckle added that Broughton made a grave error that has profoundly impacted his life.
Broughton, who owns a motor trade business, had no prior convictions except a caution issued for burglary of a non-domestic property.
Judge Miss Rowena Goode sentenced him to five years in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender for life.
Speaking after the sentencing, Det.
Const.
Hayley Thornley of the police serious sexual offences team said: “Broughton attacked this woman in a humiliating and violent manner on a pub’s refuse area floor because she rejected his advances.
Even when another man attempted to assist her, Broughton fought him off, showing his determination to continue his assault.
This case demonstrates that Broughton poses a continuing threat to women, and his sentence reflects that reality.”
