The security guard raped a student in ‘strikingly similar’ circumstances to how he had preyed upon a lone woman mere months beforehand
John Callaway, of Shakespeare Close in Everton, aged 43(Image: Merseyside Police)
A security guard preyed upon a lone woman on a night out near to the Bombed Out Church months before he raped a student in eerily similar circumstances. John Callaway was this week labelled a “very dangerous man” by a judge, having taken his victim away to a secluded location under the pretence of giving her a lift home but instead subjecting her to a harrowing sexual assault in the back of his van.
The incident came less than six months after he was arrested after being accused of targeting another woman in a “strikingly similar” manner, although she was able to escape his clutches on this occasion. While he was arrested in connection with the alleged assault, he was ultimately released and left free to loiter in the city centre while awaiting another opportunity to strike.
A trial at Liverpool Crown Court heard the 19-year-old complainant became separated from her friends during a night out in Liverpool city centre in March 2023 and found herself alone at the junction of Seel Street and Slater Street. Callaway was meanwhile on duty as part of his role responding to security alarms being activated at business premises in the area, with CCTV footage showing him approaching her and remaining with her on the street corner over the course of around 15 minutes.
The video thereafter showed the 43-year-old defendant, of Shakespeare Close in Everton, putting his arm around the student and kissing her, something which she has no recollection of due to her heavily intoxicated state. He then led her to his van before driving to a quiet cul-de-sac and raping her in the back of his vehicle as she drifted in and out of consciousness.
Arthur Gibson, prosecuting, read a statement to the court on behalf on the victim, in which she said: “Though my life didn’t end when I was assaulted, for a long time after it happened, I wished it had. My only thought for months was, how am I supposed to live with this?
“The only thing I could do was cry over what he had taken from me. Every van I spotted gave me a panic attack. Though things have got better, they’ve never gotten easier. Not a day has passed where I haven’t thought about what he did to me. I’m terrified things will never change.”
Mr Gibson added that the incident had involved “abduction and prolonged and sustained detention”, adding: “It is the crown’s submission that this was not a spur of the moment offence. It is the crown’s case that the only reason he was driving around the area at that time was that he was looking for a victim. The defendant offered this very drunk young lady, ostensibly, a lift home, when what he intended to do was take her to a secluded place and rape her.”
While Callaway has no previous convictions, the court heard that he was arrested months earlier, in November 2022, after “picking up a young woman near the Bombed Out Church” after she too had been separated from her friends following a night. Having also offered to take her home and persuaded her to enter his van, he was then accused of sexually assaulting her by kissing which was apparently “forced upon her”.
However, he was ultimately not charged in relation to this allegation. Judge Louise Brandon remarked that this incident was “strikingly similar, save for the complainant being able to get away”, and that he had gone on to tell the police under interview that he was “in the area looking for something to eat” and was “concerned for her welfare”, as he claimed in relation to the victim during his trial.
Charlotte Kenny, defending, said on his behalf: “Clearly, the defendant maintains his innocence. It is rare that a defendant does not in a case such as this. The [pre-sentence] report challenges the defendant as lacking victim empathy, which inevitably follows in cases where innocence is maintained.
“This offence fell within a period of the defendant’s life when he was at an emotional and mental low ebb. He was experiencing marital issues. He and his wife had difficulty conceiving. The report describes that it was a period of a lack of intimacy.
“The offending fell within a period of time where the defendant was feeling extremely low and suffering from mental health issues. Things have improved for him since then. His wife has supported him and stood by him.
“Since that time, they have also had a child. The defendant, prior to his conviction, was very much motivated in providing a stable and happy life for his wife and their young son. It is very tragic, in many ways. I would submit that this behaviour can be seen within this context.
“He has started to have proper engagement with mental health services in prison. That is already starting to take effect. He is someone who will engage with the prison service in order to ensure that, when he comes out, there has been a proper process of rehabilitation.”
Callaway was found guilty of one count of rape by the jury, five of whom returned to court for this morning’s hearing. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, he was jailed for 13 years and handed an extended licence period of three years.
One woman was seen with her head in her hands in the public gallery as Callaway was locked up. He was also handed a restraining order which will ban him from contacting his victim indefinitely.
Sentencing, Judge Brandon said: “[The victim] became separated from her friends after a night out. She had been enjoying her evening, as she was entitled to do. She had consumed a significant amount of alcohol.
“You moved from the quiet area where you were parked in into an area where students were leaving bars. I am satisfied that you had watched her for some time and had made a decision that you were going to get her into your van. You would have known that there would have been young people in and around that area who were the worse for drink.
“The CCTV footage suggested that she thought you were a taxi driver. I cannot be sure that you were pretending to be a taxi driver on that night. What I am sure about is, during that conversation, you led her to believe that you would get her home safely. You, of course, had no intention of doing that.
“The victim personal statement makes for harrowing reading. She wished that her life ended that night. She has nightmares and she could not eat. All she could do was cry. She had to learn to live her normal life again. She thinks about what you did to her every day. She fears that will never change.
“She was in your van and your company for lengthy period time as you drove her to a location that you were familiar with to rape her. This was an offence involving prolonged detention. It was a sustained incident. She was particularly vulnerable, being obviously under the influence of alcohol and on her own in the early hours of morning.
“Her evidence during the course of the trial was harrowing to watch. I am sure that you were actively looking for lone females that night. There was a significant degree of planning.
“You maintain that she came onto you and that she was an active and consenting participant, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. You have shown no understanding of your actions, no empathy and no remorse.
“You are a husband and a father. Your family will bear the burden of your incarceration. You will miss many milestones in your son’s life. You have been a hard working man with no previous convictions. Your circumstances at the time are something that I do take into account.
“You have started to engage with mental health services in prison, and that is a positive development. You have expressed a willingness to engage with treatment in prison. I hope that is a first step in addressing your offending.
“You have no appreciation of the harm that your actions caused. It is impossible to watch your actions on CCTV and conclude anything other than that you knew exactly what you were doing. You seek to justify and minimise your behaviour. I am satisfied that you are a very dangerous man, particularly to young, lone women.”
Merseyside Police’s Detective Constable Jason Banks said following Monday’s hearing: “Callaway is a dangerous predator who targeted his victim and subjected her to a horrific experience. To deny his offence and force her to relive the trauma through a trial is appalling, and it’s only right that the jury saw through his lies.
“Today’s custodial sentence has removed Callaway from the streets to prevent further harm to anyone else. I hope he spends this time in prison to reflect on his despicable behaviour and accepts that it is wrong.
“I hope this sentencing shows and reassures the public how seriously the courts take these offences and how Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting anyone from violence and sexual abuse. Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity should come forward and speak to us.
“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice. We urge anyone who is a victim of any form sexual abuse to please report this to police, as we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”