Clitheroe man jailed for eight years after raping woman

Monday, October 26, 2026

The man pictured is Christopher Wood and he is a rapist.

In June 2022, the victim woke to find Wood raping her. When she told him to get off, he repeatedly laughed at her.

The attack happened at the victim’s home in East Lancashire.

Wood was arrested the same day and denied the offence.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, 35-year-old Wood was charged with rape.

He continued to deny the offence but was found guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court on Friday 11th September.

Wood, of Kay Street, Clitheroe, returned to the same court on Friday (23rd October) where he was jailed for eight years and four months and given a 20-year restraining order.

Det Con Sarah Riley, of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Team, said: “Wood took advantage of his victim while she was in an extremely vulnerable state. 

“He knew she was not consenting to what he was doing and continued his lies during his police interview and throughout the trial. The jury saw through those lies and delivered a guilty verdict.

“I want to take this opportunity to praise the victim for her bravery throughout this process and for trusting the police to hold the man who raped her to account and put him before the courts.

“I hope the outcome of this case encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward, confident that you will be believed and listened to, and that we will do everything in our powers to put the perpetrator before the courts.”

If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence, report it online via or call 101. If a crime is in progress always call 999.