A man has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman after they both agreed to share a sofa for the night at a friend’s house following a night out. Declan Marno, 24, was in Chester last March with his 18-year-old victim and a group of friends. They returned to a friend’s house after the night out, where it was decided that Marno and the victim would sleep on opposite ends of a sofa.
During the night, Marno assaulted the victim, who passed out during the attack. The next morning, she confronted Marno about his actions, informing him that she remembered what had occurred. The victim reported the assault to the police, leading to Marno’s arrest. Despite initially denying the charges, Marno later pleaded guilty to assault and rape at his court appearance.
Detective Constable Emma Flanagan expressed empathy for the victim, highlighting the trauma she endured. Flanagan condemned Marno’s actions, emphasizing his disregard for the victim’s well-being and lack of consent. She commended the victim’s courage throughout the investigation, noting that her testimony was crucial in securing Marno’s conviction.
In addition to the prison sentence, Marno was placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. The police urged anyone with information on similar incidents to come forward.