Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Monday, 19th August 2024, at 14:25hrs

A rapist from Darwen who subjected his victim to a horrific ordeal at a Blackburn property has been jailed.
In a statement released today, Lancashire Police said,
“This is 27-year-old Lee Barr and he has been sentenced to 18 years for raping, strangling and biting a woman at a property in Blackburn.
She was understandably terrified of Barr but showed incredible bravery and strength by telling us what he had done.
In a victim impact stamenent, the woman wrote: “There are really no words which can explain how inhuman and humiliated I have felt, and it took a long time to finally speak out, and finally feel listened to, and believed.
She continued: “I am slowly coming out of this nightmare, I am beginning to feel a little bit stronger. I am by no means fully recovered, and the process of recovery will be slow, I have no doubt I will carry the scars all my life.
“But I am determined for this not to beat me, I refuse to let it.”
Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, we managed to secure charges against Barr.
He appeared in the dock at Preston Crown Court last month where a jury unanimously found him guilty of rape and sexual assault.
Barr, now of no fixed address but previously of Tythebarn Street, Darwen, returned to Preston Crown Court on Friday where he was jailed for 14 years. He was also given a further four year extended licence after a Judge deemed him to be dangerous.
Barr had previously been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence, report it online via or call 101. If a crime is in progress always call 999.