BBC News | UK | Rapist gets six years

BBC News Online: UK

Friday, 3 December, 1999, 16:30 GMT

Rapist gets six years

A rapist has been jailed for six years at Cardiff Crown Court.

Pub regular Howard Farrell got a taxi for a woman half his age after she had been out celebrating with friends.

But the woman, 26, said she fell asleep and woke up naked in Farrell's house with him on top of her.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how the woman admitted being drunk when she met Farrell.

She said: "Farrell got into the cab with me and I fell asleep on the back seat during the journey.

"The next thing I remember is waking up in a strange bedroom and realising I didn't have any clothes on.

"I realised it was Farrell after about 30 seconds and he was having sex with me.

"I pushed him off."

When the woman went to a friend's house the police were contacted.

Susan Ferrier, for the prosecution, said: "Farrell told the police he took her home hoping to have sex with her.

Farrell told the police he took her home hoping to have sex with her.
Susan Ferrier, prosecuting

"He said he had not asked if he could take her clothes off because he couldn't get any sense out of her."

Farrell said he laid the woman on his bed and began to peel off her clothes.

He said: "I started to kiss her neck and she did not seem to mind.

"She wasn't refusing and looked like she was enjoying it.

"She was awake by the time we had intercourse.

"I would not have had sex with her if she had not consented."

Farrell, of Whitchurch, Cardiff, was found guilty of rape after the jury returned a majority verdict.

He was jailed for six years and ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Internet Links: Cardiff Crown Court
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