Sex predator raped vulnerable woman in Liverpool hotel

Jordan Scott-Michael, also known as Jordan Callaghan, was sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence at Liverpool Crown Court this morning, Monday.

The rapist was living in a hotel room in Warrington when he committed the offence in Liverpool, having travelled to city centre.

The court heard that in August this year, a woman in her 30s was visiting Liverpool and left McDonalds on Church Street.

Scott-Michael followed her and eventually began talking to her while she was in a vulnerable state.

They then went to a hotel in the city where he committed the sexual offences – despite the victim’s continuous assertions that she did not consent.

The sentencing hearing heard a moving impact statement from the victim, detailing how her life has changed since the appalling incident, and her distress following its commission.

At a court hearing last month, Scott-Michael pleaded guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault, as well as two counts of breaching his sexual harm prevention order.

These were imposed following previous sexual offending, which included a similar predatory offence against a woman who was distressed outside a nightclub.

Scott-Michael, aged 48 and of Parker Street near Warrington town centre, was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison.

Recorder Kevin Knifton also made an order of an extended licence period of five years, as well as an indefinite restraining order and lifetime conditions to sign the sex offender register.

The sentence was welcomed by DI Adam Smith, who said: “I would like to praise the courage and dignity shown by the victim throughout the investigation.

Jordan Scott-Michael, also known as Jordan Callaghan, was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court

“Today’s result shows that violence against women and girls will simply not be tolerated, and we will work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.

“We are committed to protecting victims of sexual offences, and anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation by specially trained officers and sexual violence advocates, who will provide all the relevant support.

“Anyone that has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us.

DC Laura James, who led the investigation for Merseyside Police, added: “Scott-Michael displayed predatory behaviour.

“While no sentence will repair the trauma which was inflicted on his victim that night, I hope today’s sentencing will not only provide her with justice.

“I also hope it will encourage other victims to come forward and have the confidence in us as a police force to take reports seriously, and ultimately ensure offenders are put before the courts.”

Anyone with information or wants to report a sexual offence is asked to call 101, where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers.

Alternatively, you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.

You can also choose to make an anonymous report through the Sexual Assault Referral Centre called Safe Place, or the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service, rather than coming directly to the police.

With no police involvement, a specialist doctor at Safe Place can examine you to check that you are ok and look for DNA evidence, which they will store to support your case.

This gives you the option of making a formal police report at a later time, if you choose to.

For women who have felt or feel unsafe in public spaces, the Home Office has set up a pilot service named StreetSafe, allowing anyone to anonymously report public places where they have felt or feel unsafe.