Paul Dixon 59

Description

A woman raped in her own home by a man she met has spoken of the trauma, saying her abuser "destroyed my soul."

Paul Dixon, 57, of Old Orchard, Fulwood, Preston, was convicted of rape by a jury at Preston Crown Court but failed to appear for sentencing on three occasions. Judge Darren Preston, noting Dixon's terminal illness but seeing no benefit in further delay, sentenced him to nine years in absentia.

In summer 2018, Dixon visited her home and raped her as she cried for help and pleaded with him to stop. The judge described Dixon's trial account as ranging "from absurd to worryingly self pitying," adding: "He seemed to believe there was nothing wrong with calling [the woman] nasty names and forcing himself on her. He is clearly a nasty and jealous man with no care for anything apart from his physical desires."

Fighting back tears, the victim—supported by family in the public gallery—said she had been an active community member, finding fulfillment in charity work and helping others. After the attack, she became "a shell of herself," suffering PTSD that left her anxious and unable to engage in life.

"He was always asking for intimate pictures when on many occasions I didn’t want to. Then he would use this against me and make me feel disgusting," she said. "His abusive behaviour that was destroying my soul."

Her family cried as she described Dixon's impact, noting they felt they had "lost" her. She added: "I became a shell of myself. He raped me in my own home where I was supposed to feel safe. My cries for help and to stop were disregarded. I have never felt such fear in my life. I felt terrorised into submission. How could he ever think that was consent? I was totally destroyed that day.

"I didn’t want to carry on living. He left me suicidal and struggling with every day life. I cried constantly and was in a constant state of confusion. I would shut myself away. I couldn’t eat. I felt physically sick all the time. I lost weight and felt weak."

Judge Preston said: "There is no mitigation in this case. The defendant's illness means that any sentence of any length will almost inevitably be a life sentence and I must make some reduction for that feature of the case—although it seems to be entirely academic if the papers are correct."

Dixon's barrister submitted a letter confirming his terminal cancer diagnosis with a six- to 12-month prognosis. The judge noted: "The system has its own process and procedure for terminally ill patients and Mr Dixon will be eligible to apply to the Home Secretary for end of life release."