ROBERT BARNETT AND HIS SHOCKING RAPE IN DURHAM
A disturbing case of sexual violence has come to light involving Robert James Barnett, who took advantage of a teenage woman’s drunken state to carry out a brutal assault within her own home.The incident occurred during a house party hosted by the victim, with Barnett—a virtual stranger to everyone present—being the only individual not invited or known to the household.
According to court proceedings, Barnett had been consuming vodka in the kitchen area while the party was winding down.
As the night progressed, most of the guests either left the premises or fell into sleep.
Seizing upon the opportunity, Barnett then sexually assaulted the young woman.
Court records describe how he proceeded to drag her upstairs to her bedroom, where he forcibly stripped her naked.
It was during the act of rape that the victim regained consciousness.
The court heard that despite her protests and pleas for him to stop, Barnett continued his assault.
He held her tightly around the neck, squeezing it forcefully, and then proceeded to grab her breasts amid the ongoing attack.
The victim’s efforts to resist were met with continued aggression.
When Barnett finally ceased his assault, she quickly dressed in her pajamas and fled the scene, seeking refuge at a nearby relative’s house out of fear and distress.
In a further troubling development, Barnett followed her and attempted to gain entry into the relative’s house, adding to her terror.
The victim, overwhelmed with fear that he might succeed in entering, hid in a child’s bedroom until police arrived.
Law enforcement officials responded swiftly and located Barnett, who struggled fiercely and resisted arrest.
Prosecutor Paul Cleasby explained that Barnett claimed to have only taken the woman upstairs to help her due to her intoxicated state, but when questioned further, he refused to make additional comments.
Barnett, who is now 58 years old, denied the charges of rape and sexual assault, asserting a “Good Samaritan” defense during his trial earlier this month.
Nonetheless, the jury found him guilty on both counts.
Barnett is currently remanded in custody awaiting his sentencing, scheduled for Friday, May 19.
The court also considered a victim impact statement, in which she revealed that she had moved away from her home shortly after the attack, unable to bear living there anymore.
She also left her job in the area and relocated elsewhere.
The statement further highlighted the emotional toll of the court process, especially as she had inadvertently come face-to-face with Barnett during the proceedings, which caused her additional distress.
The prosecution noted that some planning appeared to be involved, as Barnett remained at the victim’s home for approximately five hours after the party had ended, until others had left or fallen asleep, before he ascended with her to her bedroom.
Defense solicitor Chris Morrison argued that the incident was more opportunistic than premeditated, emphasizing Barnett’s lack of prior offending history.
Morrison highlighted Barnett’s poor health, including depression and anxiety medication use, diabetes, and the struggles he faced in prison.
Judge James Adkin addressed Barnett directly, stating that his actions—attending the woman’s house uninvited and during a gathering primarily of teenagers—were wholly inappropriate.
The judge dismissed Barnett’s claim that he simply fell onto the victim, making it clear the jury did not believe his version of events.
He emphasized that Barnett had trespassed into the woman’s home without invitation, choked her during the assault, and continued despite her evident distress.
The judge described the incident as significantly planned, asserting that Barnett saw an opportunity after the party died down and exploited it to commit the assault.
As a result, he imposed a sentence of 12 years in prison, requiring Barnett to serve two-thirds of that sentence before being eligible for release on license.
Additionally, Barnett was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to a lifetime restraining order prohibiting him from contacting or approaching the victim.
Barnett’s address was noted as Gore Hill Estate, Thornley, County Durham.
