Robert Murray, who was a security worker at the St John’s Shopping Centre in Preston, was found guilty of rape by a jury at Preston Crown Court.

The Wigan man denied two counts of sexual assault and one count of rape during the trial at Preston. The attack took place behind a bingo hall on Tithebarn Street.

The victim in the case told how she was assaulted during a cigarette break from work.

She had previously met 34 year old Murray the day before. However, following this meeting he began turning up where she worked, asking her to go for a smoke with him. She went for a break with Murray but, as the court heard, he started making advances towards her asking if she would “go with him”. The victim declared she didn’t want to.

Murray took the victim behind the bingo hall where he forced himself on her.

CCTV shown to the jury clearly shows Murray and the woman leaving St John’s Shopping Centre together.