Oldham man jailed for rape and assault

A 37-year-old Oldham man has been jailed for nearly a decade after raping a young woman who woke up to find him assaulting her in her own bed. Shaun Grenfell, from Sharples Hall Street, was sentenced to nine years and six months at Minshull Street Crown Court after being convicted of rape, affray, and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The court heard that in 2024, the victim woke to discover Grenfell raping her. She tried to move away but he continued his advances before she left the room. Other people in the property were told what happened, and Grenfell was asked to leave before police were called.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman described how the attack had 'fundamentally changed' her, leaving her living in 'fear, pain and anxiety'. She said: 'I wish I'd never had to do any of this to begin with-I wish I hadn't been raped.

The court also heard about a separate assault in April 2024, when Grenfell attacked a man at a Middleton property after drinking together earlier that evening. Despite shaking hands and assuring there was no issue, Grenfell punched the victim repeatedly, causing two black eyes and requiring hospital treatment.

Judge Matthew Corbett-Jones rejected Grenfell's claim that his relationship breakdown explained his behaviour, saying: 'That is no excuse for your behaviour-many people go through similar things.' Grenfell must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before release and is banned from contacting the rape victim and two family members for 15 years.