LANCASTER millionaire Owen Oyston is in prison today at the start of a six-year jail sentence after being found guilty of raping a young model and indecently assaulting her. The 20-day court case at Liverpool came to an end yesterday (Wednesday) with judge, Mr Justice McCullough, telling the 62-year-old Claughton Hall entrepeneur: "She was young and vulnerable. I don't believe she led you on in any way. It is impossible to know to what extent she has been traumatised by her experiences on that night." Oyston stood impassive in the dock as he was found guilty of the offences against the 16-year-old model known as Miss B and sentence was passed. His wife Vicki smiled at him as he was taken down to start his jail term. A few minutes earlier, after more than seven hours of deliberations, the jury had found Oyston not guilty of the rape of another young model, Girl A.

The judge said of his attitude to Girl B: "You have consistently placed your interests above hers. You have shown no remorse."

He had denied raping Girl A in 1989 and Girl B in 1991 at his home on the outskirts of Lancaster. The indecent assault took place in the back of a sports car as they were being driven to the secluded mansion.

Mr McCullough said: "You were 58, Miss B was 16. You were rich and powerful with a strong personality."

He said Oyston had been generous to the community in many ways but that was of minor relevance. "You thought you had got away with it," he added.

Oyston was sentenced to six years for the rape and three years for the indecent assault, both sentences to run concurrently.

Mr Michael Burne, solicitor for Oyston, said: "We will be looking carefully at grounds for an appeal."

Mrs Oyston had a few minutes in the cells with her husband before leaving the court with her family. Son Adam had a comforting arm around her.

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