TERRIFYING: Violent double rapist jailed for nine years

Marc Partridge’s victims told a judge how they feared for their lives as the 28-year-old forced them to have sex with him.

The defendant, from Accrington, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and another of harassment against three different women.

Preston Crown Court heard how he threw a cup of tea over one of his victims, slapped another across the face and kept another against her will.

Sarah Johnston, prosecuting, said: “This case concerns acts of physical violence perpetrated by this defendant against three women.

“The prosecution says this defendant has proven himself to be controlling and manipulative.”

Judge Andrew Woolman said the most serious attack was on a woman while Partridge, of Slaidburn Drive, was on bail after being arrested for raping another woman and harassing another.

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Miss Johnston said: “He held her down, despite her protestations, and told her to take the pain.

“This was an act of rape after which, he acted as if nothing had happened.

“She wanted to leave. He locked the doors, preventing her from leaving and he dragged her by her coat.”

Later, Partridge, a scaffolder, pushed the woman against a wall and told her to hit him so that he could hit her back, the prosecutor said.

The court was told how he then threatened her with a knife and told her to watch as he claimed he was going to jump onto the blade.

The other rape victim was slapped by the defendant before he undid his trousers and forced himself onto her.

Miss Johnston said: “Her attempts to push him off failed.

“He held her by the throat. She feared he could kill her. He then said ‘if you want me to show you I am a man, I will show you’.”

The other victim, who Partridge admitted harrassing but not sexually assaulting, was also subjected to physical violence, the judge heard.

Miss Johnston said: “The defendant assaulted her in the street, dragging her along the ground.

“He threw a cup of tea over her, punched her and pushed her over a table.

“He was heard to say she deserved it - a clear demonstration of bullying behaviour.”

Speaking after the hearing, the victim said she felt that the sentence had been too lenient.

She said: “It is a joke. I do not understand how they do not see him as a danger to the public.

“I think the judge has been extremely lenient, but I am happy because he is not walking the streets anymore.”

Judge Andrew Woolman said Partridge would also be required to be monitored by the authorities for the rest of his life.

He told the defendant: “The victim personal statements from each of the girls show they were terrified as a result of what you did and are left shaken.

“It may be that the effect on them does not go.

“Although you are a risk of causing harm to women, you are not at risk of causing serious harm and I trust that after a period in prison, those risks will be reduced.

“I accept that in all other respects, you are the law-abiding hard-working person.”

After the sentencing, Det Con Rachel Norris praised the victims for coming forward.

She said: “I am pleased with the custodial sentence handed down to Partridge and I hope it brings some closure to his victims so that they start to move on with their lives.

“All the women have shown immense bravery and resilience in the face of this manipulative and dangerous man. “We are committed to investigating all allegations of this nature thoroughly and sensitively. Anyone who has been the victim of similar offences can contact us and be confident that we will listen to them.”