In 2026, a 68-year-old repeat sex offender was sentenced to eight years and six months’ imprisonment at Bradford Crown Court after being found guilty of raping a woman inside her own home.
William McGuinness, of no fixed address in Bradford, appeared before the court for sentencing following a five-day contested jury trial that concluded in his conviction for rape.
The prosecution outlined that McGuinness targeted the victim in her private residence, overpowering her and carrying out a non-consensual sexual violation. The court heard the complainant was left severely traumatised and terrified by his overpowering conduct, fearing for her personal safety throughout the ordeal. After the attack, the victim disclosed what had taken place to another woman, who promptly alerted West Yorkshire Police.
When arrested and questioned by detectives, McGuinness denied the allegations in their entirety, claiming to investigators that he had never even entered the victim’s home. Jurors at Bradford Crown Court rejected his account, returning a unanimous guilty verdict on the indictment.
The court was told that McGuinness was a convicted sex offender with relevant previous convictions on his record. In 2014, he had been sentenced to a custodial term and placed on the sex offenders register following a conviction for indecent assault.
Passing sentence, Deputy Circuit Judge Timothy Clayson addressed the violation of attacking a victim in the sanctity of her home and the enduring distress caused by the assault.
Judge Clayson sentenced McGuinness to an immediate custodial term of eight years and six months’ imprisonment.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court imposed a 12-year restraining order prohibiting McGuinness from having any direct or indirect contact with the victim, alongside continuing notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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