In 2021, the Offender Database reported that George Preston, then 21, of Windsor Place, Fleetwood, Lancashire, was sentenced to nine years in prison. On Monday, 12 April 2021, Preston appeared at Preston Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape of a child under 13 and one count of rape of an 18-year-old woman.
The investigation established that one of Preston’s victims was only 12 years old when she was raped in a dirty, windowless, abandoned petrol station shelter. The prosecution reported that the victim has been left with life-altering trauma, including consistent flashbacks, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts. She courageously told the court that Preston did not just take her innocence, but “killed the person inside” she once was.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Preston’s actions had a devastating and permanent impact on the physical and mental health of his victims. The judge noted that the survivors have been left with a constant fear of men and physical touch. The prosecution emphasised that the 12-year-old victim has struggled with self-harm and a total loss of aspiration for her future as a result of the attacks.
The judge highlighted that Preston’s behaviour was a grave violation of trust and safety. In a victim impact statement, the survivor noted that while Preston will eventually be released, she remains “trapped” by the memory of his actions. For his crimes in Fleetwood and Lancashire, the court determined that a significant custodial term and long-term restrictive orders were necessary to address the severity of the rapes.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, George Preston was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Nine years in immediate custody.
- Restraining Order: A 10-year order preventing any contact with either of his victims.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- Convictions: Pled guilty to two counts of rape of a child under 13 and one count of rape of an 18-year-old woman.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Preston is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Lancashire Constabulary and the prison estate. Due to the nature of the rapes involving a child and an adult, his conduct is subject to high-level oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, Preston must comply with mandatory notification requirements regarding his future residence in Fleetwood, Lancashire. Authorities state that the 10-year restraining order is a measure to ensure the continued safety of the survivors. Any breach of his registration conditions, his restraining order, or his licence terms upon release will result in his immediate arrest and return to Preston Crown Court.
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