NATHAN CATHERALL SENTENCED IN BRISTOL FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ON TEENAGE GIRLS

A 26-year-old man named Nathan Catherall has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 11 years after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting two teenage girls. The crimes took place in Bristol during the years 2020 and 2021, and Catherall’s actions have left a lasting impact on his victims and the community.

Originally from Croydon, Catherall met his victims through a dating application, which facilitated their initial contact. The victims, who were 18 and 19 years old at the time, encountered Catherall in circumstances that would lead to serious criminal charges. The police reports confirm that the assaults occurred within Bristol, a city that has been grappling with issues of sexual violence and victim support.

Following his conviction, Catherall was also ordered to comply with indefinite notification requirements. This legal obligation mandates him to regularly sign in at police stations, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and compliance with restrictions designed to protect the public. Such measures are standard for offenders convicted of serious sexual crimes, emphasizing the importance of community safety and offender accountability.

The sentencing hearing was held at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday. During the proceedings, prosecutor Kate Brunner KC described Catherall as exhibiting a “worrying attitude of entitlement” and demonstrated an “absolute lack of insight” into the gravity of his offending behavior. Her remarks underscored the concern that Catherall did not fully acknowledge the harm caused or show remorse, which influenced the severity of his sentence.

One of the victims, whose identity remains protected by law, shared her emotional struggles following the assault. She expressed feelings of fear and vulnerability, recounting how she often felt “so scared” during the ordeal. On the day of sentencing, she reflected on her emotional state, saying, “Sometimes I feel numb thinking about what has happened,” and revealing her efforts to suppress her feelings to avoid confronting the pain. She described her loss of confidence and strength, stating, “I like to think of myself as a strong powerful woman but in that moment I lost those traits and I lost me.”

Despite her pain, she conveyed a message of hope and resilience, saying, “I hope I can learn to forgive myself for being so hard on myself after you raped me and I hope I can treat my body better healing from this than I did dealing with it. I don’t want to cry, and I don’t want to hate myself. I want to love my body, and I want to love me.” Her words highlight the ongoing journey toward healing and self-acceptance that many victims of sexual assault face.

Prosecutor Kate Brunner emphasized that Catherall’s behavior was characterized by a troubling sense of entitlement and a blatant disregard for the concept of consent. The police investigator, Ellen Rye, reinforced this point by stressing that consent is fundamental and that “No always means no,” whether communicated verbally or through other means. Rye pointed out that Catherall’s actions blatantly disrespected the victims’ rights and boundaries, prioritizing his own gratification over their autonomy and well-being. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting personal boundaries and the devastating consequences when they are ignored.