Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Wednesday 26th March 2025, at 09:55hrs
Connor Pennell, 27, of Vines Cross Way, Skelmersdale, has been sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison at Bolton Crown Court for a series of heinous crimes, including rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, non-fatal strangulation, and three counts of voyeurism.
The sentencing, handed down on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, follows his conviction after a harrowing trial.
The court heard how Pennell’s crimes were brought to light after detectives discovered damning footage captured by a baby camera monitor, which had been saved to his phone. This footage revealed the horrific rape of a woman who was trapped in a controlling and abusive relationship with him.
Concerns were initially raised in July 2024 in Wigan, when the victim bravely came forward. Pennell had previously been charged with battery and strangulation, leading to a protection from harassment order.
However, he continued his pattern of abuse, escalating his crimes in the following weeks and months.
Pennell’s campaign of terror involved controlling and coercive behaviour, as well as threats to release intimate images if the victim revealed his breaches of the restraining order.
He subjected her to prolonged physical and emotional abuse, even after she made it clear she no longer wanted a relationship with him.
During his arrest and subsequent interviews, Pennell maintained his innocence, claiming his phone would corroborate his version of events.
However, the retrieved data revealed the contrary, exposing his deliberate attempts to record his crimes using the baby monitor without the victim’s knowledge.
The victim’s ordeal included a near-fatal strangulation incident, which prompted her to report the abuse out of fear for her life.
In her victim impact statement, she described the profound impact of Pennell’s actions, stating, “He stripped pretty much every aspect of my life away and has changed the course of my future. I’m not the same person I was.”
She also highlighted the trauma of reliving her abuse during the trial, saying, “Connor made me re-live it all, sitting in this court, surrounded by strangers watching videos of myself in an extremely personal state that haunts me.”
Despite her suffering, the victim expressed hope that her case would encourage other survivors of domestic violence and sexual crimes to come forward.
“I hope that sentencing will help other Victims of Domestic violence and sexual crimes come forward and show them that their voices will be heard, and that justice will be served,” she said.
Detective Constable Amy Stewart from Wigan district praised the victim’s bravery and condemned Pennell’s actions.
“Pennell had a complete disregard for women and is an extremely dangerous individual,” she said. “His misogynistic attitude towards women was clear for all to see in the end once we uncovered the shocking and disturbing evidence.”
Pennell will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register and has been issued with an indefinite restraining order against the victim.
Greater Manchester Police are urging anyone in a controlling relationship to seek help.
Support is available through:
* Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester: 0161 276 6515
* Greater Manchester Rape Crisis: 0161 273 4500 or help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk
* We Are Survivors: 0161 236 2182
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