A CONVICTED rapist has been sent back to jail after he sexually assaulted a woman who was waiting to catch a train.

Robert Rawes had not long been released from prison on licence for a conviction of rape dating back to 2014 when he approached the woman at Accrington station.

Burnley Crown Court heard how he waited until a male who had been with the woman left the area before attempting to engage in conversation with her.

The 26-year-old then put his hand up her dress and pulled at the waistband of her knickers before moving his hand toward her buttock and brushing it.

Rawes, of Dudmaston, Hollinswood, Telford, pleaded guilty to sexual assault at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to nine months in jail and 10 years on the sex offender’s register on Friday.

At the time of the incident Rawes, who has previous convictions for robbery, burglary and battery, was living at a bail hostel in Accrington.

When he was later arrested and questioned he denied the claim, saying that he ‘didn’t even find the woman attractive’.

At the time of committing this offence Rawes was subject to a sex offender prevention order imposed on him in relation to the previous offence.

Jailing him, Judge Andrew Jefferies QC said: “You have previous convictions for burglary, robbery and battery but of most significance is your previous conviction for rape in 2014. It was from that sentence that you had only just recently been released and were on licence at the time of committing this offence.

“The question about whether to suspend or not this prison sentence is helpfully dealt with by way of the guidelines.

“True it is that you have personal mitigation and some chance of rehabilitation, but in my judgement appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody.

“The issue of deterrents is not just applicable to you but to men at large. The idea that a woman should be attacked in the way that this victim was while alone on a train station platform needs to be marked with the public understanding that custody will be imposed.”

Investigating officer DC Chris Biggs said;  “This was a very upsetting assault which left the victim shaken, vulnerable and afraid. 

"Rawes waited until his victim was alone before approaching and assaulting her.

“No one should be subject to unwanted sexual behaviour on the rail network. Everyone has the right to feel safe when they travel. We take all reports of sexual harassment and unwanted sexual behaviour seriously and will support victims throughout our investigations.

“I would urge anyone who witnesses or experiences sexual harassment on the railway to report it to us – no report is too small or insignificant. Text us on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40. In an emergency, always dial 999.”