Man Jailed for 15 Years Over Shocking Gosport Rape and Abuse
Connor Barnes Sentenced After Jury Verdict
A 28-year-old man has been locked up for 15 years for coercive controlling behaviour and raping a 25-year-old woman in Gosport. Connor Richard Barnes, who has no fixed address on the Isle of Wight, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday 18 January.
A jury found Barnes guilty of two rapes and coercive control offences spanning from January 2020 to March 2022.
Harsh Sentence and Lifetime Register Order
Following the verdict, Barnes was remanded in custody and returned on Tuesday 12 March for sentencing. The court handed down a hefty 15-year prison term. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, ensuring he will be monitored indefinitely.
Police Praise Victim’s Bravery
Detective Constable Leanne Boyd said: “This is an excellent result and we are very pleased that we have been able to help the victim see the justice she deserves. We commend her for her bravery in coming forward and for continuing to support the investigation.”
She added: “We want all victims to know we take reports of sexual assault and coercive control extremely seriously. We will always put victims first and relentlessly pursue offenders, especially in cases like this.”
Support Available for Victims
If you have been affected by sexual assault or abusive behaviour, you are urged to contact police on 101. Officers will listen in confidence and offer support.
For those nervous about talking to the police, specialist support services are also available to help victims deal with the impact of abuse.
More information and contact details for support can be found here: Hampshire Police Victim Support.
