STEWART HINCHLIFFE FROM MORECAMBE SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR RAPE IN LANCASTER
In a case that has shocked the community of Morecambe, Stewart Hinchliffe, aged 42, was sentenced to six years in prison after being found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl.The incident occurred in August 2006, and the court proceedings revealed that Hinchliffe, who was employed as a cleaner at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, had been drinking heavily prior to the assault.
According to evidence presented at Preston Crown Court, forensic analysis linked Hinchliffe directly to the crime, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction.
The court was informed that Hinchliffe’s name will be permanently added to the sex offenders' register, a list that mandates lifelong registration.
Furthermore, he is now prohibited from working with children indefinitely and is barred from having any unsupervised contact with females under the age of 18.
Prosecutor Miss Heather Lloyd detailed that the rape took place at a residence in Morecambe.
After the offence was discovered, Hinchliffe took the step of surrendering himself at Lancaster police station.
Initially, he denied any involvement, but as the case progressed, he changed his stance and indicated a willingness to plead guilty shortly before the trial commenced.
During police interviews, Hinchliffe admitted that he was intoxicated at the time of the assault.
His defense lawyer, Mr.
Chris Hudson, highlighted that Hinchliffe had struggled with alcoholism for over two decades.
The defense argued that his excessive drinking on the day of the offence likely contributed to his actions.
Mr.
Hudson also pointed out that Hinchliffe had no prior convictions related to sexual offences and emphasized that this was his first custodial sentence.
Judge Andrew Gilbart QC addressed Hinchliffe directly, stating that if the case had gone to trial and resulted in a conviction, the sentence would have been eight years.
The police officers involved in the investigation expressed their approval of the six-year sentence, noting that Hinchliffe’s guilty plea spared the victim from the ordeal of giving evidence in court.
Detective Sergeant Tracy Crane remarked that the plea was a positive outcome, acknowledging the seriousness of the crime and the importance of justice being served.
