SHAUN COLLINS FROM BURNLEY SENTENCED TO ANOTHER 12 YEARS FOR SERIAL RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE
In August 2022, Shaun Collins, formerly known as Greenwood and a resident of Burnley, received an additional 12-year prison sentence after being convicted of multiple sexual offenses.Collins, who is already serving a life sentence for three separate rape convictions against different victims in 2006, continues to face justice for his heinous crimes.
The recent sentencing followed a detailed trial at Burnley Crown Court, where Collins was found guilty of 11 counts of rape and one count of indecent assault.
The court was informed that Collins, now aged 58 and without a fixed address, had a history of sexual offending that spanned over many years.
His previous convictions in 2006 involved three different women, and his criminal behavior has had a lasting impact on his victims.
One of the victims, a woman who was a schoolgirl at the time, had initially come forward in 2006 by writing a letter to a now-retired Lancashire Police Detective Sergeant.
In her letter, she detailed how Collins' sexual abuse had profoundly affected her life.
Despite her account, she was not ready at that time to pursue a formal complaint.
It was only in 2020 that the police re-established contact with her, at which point she was in her 50s.
The investigation revealed that Collins, who used to perform as a busker in Burnley, had raped her on multiple occasions when she was under 16 years old.
The victim described the long-lasting trauma caused by Collins' actions, which led her to seek counseling years later due to persistent nightmares and emotional distress.
Her courage in coming forward again helped bring her abuser to justice.
During the court proceedings, Collins denied any wrongdoing, maintaining his innocence.
However, the evidence presented was sufficient for the jury to convict him of the charges.
The judge sentenced him to an additional 12 years in prison, with the stipulation that he must serve at least two-thirds of this sentence before being eligible to apply for parole.
At that point, Collins will need to demonstrate that he no longer poses a threat to the public, or he will remain incarcerated.
Furthermore, Collins has been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses.
His case underscores the importance of persistence and bravery among victims of sexual abuse, as well as the justice system’s commitment to holding offenders accountable, regardless of the passage of time.
