A Darwen man has been convicted of raping a woman at a house in Blackburn.

Lee Barr, 27, was unanimously found guilty by a jury of rape and sexual assault at Preston Crown Court last week.

Barr, of no fixed address but previously of Tythebarn Street, Darwen, was placed on the sex offenders register for life and remanded back into custody to be sentenced on August 16, 2024.

Police said Barr bit and strangled his victim while he raped her at a property in Blackburn.

Lancashire Police said: "She was understandably terrified of Barr but showed incredible bravery and strength by telling us what he had done."

In May 2022, Barr was sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting a man and woman who were neighbours of his former partner. 

The prolific thug had gone to the address of his ex-girlfriend in Hawkins Street, Blackburn, despite being subject to a restraining order due to an attack on her in July 2021. 

At a court hearing for the April 2022 incident, Paul Brookwell, prosecuting, said: "One of her neighbours then went out to speak with Barr who ran at her with his fist and swung her round by her dressing gown as he tried to tackle her to the ground.

"He took hold of her head and punched her with one hand and she banged her head on the pavement and when that happened she said 'it all went blank'.

"She called out for her partner who came out and saw that Barr was on top of his girlfriend.

"He ran over and threw him off her but as he did, Barr punched him to the head and then bit him on the head, before punching him in the mouth and hitting him in his teeth."

The court also heard how Barr has an extensive criminal past, including seven assault charges to his name, some of which were committed as a youth.

If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence, report it online or call 101. If a crime is in progress, call 999.