Paul Rowlands, 55, faces prison after jury convicts him of vile rape while woman slept on his sofa

What began as a quiet night among friends turned into a waking nightmare when a woman visiting a Chester home was violently dragged from sleep and raped by a man she had trusted. Paul Rowlands, 55, has been found guilty of the brutal assault and now awaits sentencing for a crime that has shaken the community to its core.

The victim had accompanied a friend to Rowlands’ home in May 2023. Feeling safe, she fell asleep on the sofa. But that safety was a cruel illusion. In the early hours, she was jolted awake by a horrifying realisation—Rowlands had grabbed her by the collar of her coat and dragged her to the floor.

What followed was over an hour of terror. Rowlands subjected the woman to repeated sexual assaults, all while threatening to kill her if she screamed or fought back. Immobilised by fear, the woman endured the brutal attack in silence, unsure if she would make it out alive.

But she did. In a moment of immense bravery, she escaped the house and made her way—shaking and traumatised—to Chester Railway Station. There, she found police officers on duty and confided in them about the horrifying ordeal she had just survived.

Her courage marked the beginning of a swift police response. Paul Rowlands was arrested shortly after. In custody, he tried to feign ignorance, claiming to have no recollection of the events. But forensic evidence told a different story, and so did the woman’s consistent and harrowing testimony.

After a seven-day trial at Chester Crown Court, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts. The courtroom heard chilling details of the attack, including the predator’s threats and the woman’s terror. Despite Rowlands’ attempts to deflect blame and deny memory of the assault, the evidence was overwhelming.

Detective Sergeant Chester Ward of Cheshire Constabulary praised the victim’s strength. “Nobody should ever endure what she did,” he said. “She showed remarkable bravery in coming forward and standing firm through the trial. We hope this verdict offers some measure of reassurance and justice.”

Community reaction has been one of outrage and heartbreak. The case has prompted renewed fears over hidden predators—men who present as friends or hosts, only to reveal monstrous intentions. Many now ask how such attacks can be prevented when they happen behind closed doors, far from public view.

Women in Chester and beyond have expressed shock, warning that this attack reflects a wider issue of trust and vulnerability. “If she wasn’t safe falling asleep at a mate’s house, where are we safe?” one woman wrote on social media.

The case has sparked urgent calls for better protections, including education around consent, stronger sentencing for sexual predators, and expanded support services for survivors. But for now, attention turns to the sentencing of Rowlands, whose despicable actions will almost certainly place him behind bars for years to come.

What remains is the long road to recovery for the survivor, who must now rebuild her life in the aftermath of trauma. Her courage in facing Rowlands in court ensured justice was served—and will no doubt inspire others to come forward.

As the community processes the horror of what took place, the message is clear: monsters like Paul Rowlands can no longer hide behind a friendly face.