Chester landlord jailed for rape

A former landlord has been jailed after he was convicted of raping a woman at a public house in Chester.

A former landlord has been jailed after he was convicted of raping a woman at a public house in Chester.

Aaron Poole was found guilty of one count of rape following an 5 day trial at Chester Crown Court which concluded on Friday 9 June. The 45-year-old of Garden Lane, Chester was sentenced to nine-years in prison.

Poole met his victim at a function at Chester football club on Saturday 10 October 2020. Following the event, he took the woman back to the pub which he managed, the Chichester Arms, on Garden Lane. Poole then plied the victim with alcohol before taking the heavily intoxicated woman to his living quarters and raping her.

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.

Thankfully, while outside, a concerned student contacted the police to report the vulnerable woman.

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, after examining CCTV footage from the pub, officers recovered damning footage which 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 the 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 fulfil 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 Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or visit https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/%20 .

In an emergency always call 999. Information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.