Pub landlord raped woman after luring her back to his place of work and plying her with alcohol

A former pub landlord in Cheshire has been jailed after he was convicted of raping a woman he plied with alcohol.

Aaron Poole, 45, of Garden Lane, Chester, was sentenced to nine years in prison after he was found guilty of one count of rape. A five day trial at Chester Crown Court, which concluded on Friday, June 9, heard that Poole met his victim at an event on October 10, 2020.

After the event, Poole took the woman back to the pub he managed, The Chichester Arms on Garden Lane, and served her alcohol. He then took the heavily intoxicated woman to his living quarters and raped her.

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Poole then took the woman back to the bar and asked an acquaintance to send her home in a taxi as she was drunk. However, after taking the woman outside, they were unable to get the victim home as she was too intoxicated to get into a taxi.

A student, who was outside at the time, contacted the police to report the vulnerable woman after becoming concerned about her wellbeing.

Officers attended the scene and the victim was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital. The person who had taken the victim outside was initially arrested on suspicion of rape.

However, CCTV footage showed Poole taking the heavily intoxicated woman into his flat before leading her back into the bar. Poole was arrested and admitted having sexual intercourse with the victim but claimed that it was consensual. However, after hearing all the evidence, a jury found him guilty of rape.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Rupert Morrey, of Western CID, said: “Poole was supposed to be the landlord of the pub, his role was to ensure the safety of his customers and staff.

“Instead, he abused his position and used it as an opportunity to fulfill his own sexual gratification. He plied his victim with alcohol until she was barely able to stand before raping her, well aware that she was too intoxicated to consent. Thankfully, he has now been held accountable for his actions.

“Nobody should have to experience what the victim has been through, and I hope that the sentence handed to Poole will provide the victim with some closure.

“I also hope that his conviction will give other victims of sexual assault the confidence to come forward. We treat all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.”

To report any sexual offence, call police on 101. In an emergency always call 999. Information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.