Connor Pennell, 28, of Skelmersdale, was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years at Bolton Crown Court on Tuesday after being found guilty of a brutal catalogue of abuse
A sick rapist has been locked up after unleasing a horrific attack on his victim, which was caught on a baby monitor.
Connor Pennell, 28, from Skelmersdale, was handed a nine-and-a-half year prison sentence at Bolton Crown Court on Tuesday. He was convicted of breaching his restraining order, rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, non-fatal strangulation and three counts of voyeurism. He will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register, and an indefinite restraining order has been issued preventing him from contacting the victim.
Detectives from Greater Manchester Police solved the case after discovering footage on a baby monitor.
It showed him carrying out a horrifying rape against his victim.
Officers first engaged with the victim in Wigan in July 2024 when she bravely reported Pennell. At the time, he had a previous record for battery and strangulation, and police implemented a protection from harassment order, reports the Mirror.
However, this did not deter his criminal activities in the following days, weeks and months. After gathering more evidence, he was subsequently charged with the aforementioned offences in July 2024.
He threatened to distribute intimate images of the victim if she informed the police about his breach of the order. His violent and abusive behaviour continued both in person and via text messages, and he persisted in harassing the victim.
Once arrested by the cops, Pennell pleaded his innocence, claiming his phone would prove his story. But as detectives dug into the data, they uncovered his sick scheme to secretly film the victim on a baby monitor without her knowing.
The woman was so terrified after one brutal attack where Pennell choked her, she thought she was going to die, which pushed her to report him, fearing for her life.
In a victim impact statement, she shared: “Before I met Connor, I was a funny, bubbly, confident, loyal, young girl, and I had many friends who I loved, and a whole family who I loved with all my heart and who loved me, I had a life and a future to look forward to. 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.
“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. I have flashbacks of everything he has done to me and flashbacks of the trial.
“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.
‘Extremely dangerous’
“It’s a long road to recovery because once the abuse stops it doesn’t mean it’s over, survivors always say the bruises disappear but the mental aspect of it takes much longer and they are right, so I am relearning to love myself. I will not let him take any more of me. Connor is a danger to women and children, and I pray that today’s sentencing reflects how powerful it is what one man’s damage can cause.”
Detective Constable Amy Stewart said: “Pennell had a complete disregard for women and is an extremely dangerous individual.
“The bravery of the victim in coming forward and then having the confidence and belief in us to be able to support a prosecution will hopefully help her as she tries to rebuild her life after what was a horrific time for her, with Pennell now facing the consequences.
“His misogynistic attitude towards women was clear for all to see in the end once we uncovered the shocking and disturbing evidence.
“I want to stress the importance to anyone out there who may be a controlling relationship to please, when possible, to reach out and speak to us as we can help and ensure you receive the necessary support. No life should be overshadowed by those who are intent on causing unnecessary and traumatic abuse.”