Man who pretended to help distressed woman launched sex attack on her

Darren Barr took the woman to his home while his parents were away, and pretended to be getting her a taxi home. After locking her in he sexually assaulted her, strangled her and warned that he could rape her.

After her horrific two-hour ordeal she managed to escape from his Billinge home and the police arrested Barr, who denied her claims.

He was, however, convicted of five offences by a jury after a trial and on Monday was sentenced by a judge.

Attack was a 'nightmare ordeal' for victim

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was not his only victim as five years earlier, in 2017 Barr had pretended to help another young woman and sexually molested her too.

Sentencing Barr, of Holt Crescent, Billinge, Judge Andrew Menary, KC, the Recorder of Liverpool said that the second incident in the early hours of November 20 last year “must have been a nightmare ordeal for this woman.

“She was shouting and banging on the walls hoping that someone would hear.”

The judge said that he had used “subterfuge to get her into your house and do something to her.”

Bald-headed Barr, who appeared from Altcourse prison via video link, repeatedly shook his head when sentenced. He will have to serve two thirds of the jail term and has to sign on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Trevor Parry-Jones, prosecuting, said that the victim, who is in her 20s, was in St Helens on the night of November 19, 2022. She had consumed alcohol and was in a state of distress.

“At one stage she was at a bridge near Billinge Chapel End Labour Club and some customers spotted her and she was invited in.”

Customers reassured her and gave her a drink and Barr also engaged her in conversation. At closing time unsuccessful attempts were made to get her a taxi and Barr offered to walk her to his nearby home to call one.

She was initially concerned but was assured by customers and staff at the club, where Barr was a regular, that he was “an all right type,” said Mr Parry-Jones.

She was still a bit uncertain but was reassured by seeing a customer and barmaid walk past his home while they were outside.

“She was ushered into the kitchen where she expected a taxi would be called. Inquiries by police revealed no such calls were ever made,” said the prosecutor.

Despite her earlier being described as inebriated and with difficulty walking, he gave her a Jack Daniels to drink. He went to kiss her but she was not receptive and said she was leaving.

Barr was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court (Image: Stock)

“He ran to the front door and told her she was not going and she would go upstairs and spend the night there. She was crying and was distraught but felt she had no option other than to go upstairs.

“He told her she could sleep in a bedroom and she felt trapped. He asked if he could get into bed with her and pushed her on to the bed.”

The court heard she persuaded him to let her go to the bathroom and she messaged a male friend who told her to put on her location finder on her phone as she did not know where she was.

Afterwards, Barr pulled her onto a bed and pulled down her leggings and sexually assaulted her.

Eventually, she was able to leave his home and a neighbour, who had heard a commotion, had called the police and the defendant was arrested. 

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When interviewed he claimed he had been trying to call a taxi for her.

In an impact statement the woman said that since the incident “my life has been a complete mess.”

She said she started drinking heavily to block out the memories but it made it worse. She was prescribed medication and counselling and struggles with her mental health. 

When she gave evidence in his trial she was called a liar and after the attack she felt embarrassed and to blame but now realised it was his fault.

Mr Parry-Jones told the court that the earlier incident involving another woman in her 20s happened on August 26, 2017. She had locked herself out by mistake after a night out and Barr approached asking for a light.

He then tried to kiss her on the lips but she moved her head. She was disturbed by this and walked to the alley down the side of her home to get away from him but he followed and molested her.

Barr pleaded guilty to those two sexual assaults and was convicted of five offences involving sexual assault and strangulation of his later victim.

He was given an eight-year jail sentence.

Steven Swift, defending, said that Barr has no previous convictions and has lived with his parents all his life. He said the encounters were chance meetings.