Sheffield student's "courage & quick thinking" foiled attack plot from "deeply violent" rapist on day release
"Trennan is a deeply violent man who derives pleasure from inflicting pain and fear on others,” a senior prosecutor said, as a “deeply violent” rapist was handed a third life sentence for a foiled attack on a Sheffield student.
Neil Trennan was on day release from prison for two life sentences passed down for horrific attacks on women, when he broke into a student’s home, armed with a knife, and attempted to attack her.
Sentencing Trennan to a third life sentence moments ago, The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, described the incident as an “appalling case of history repeating itself” which “must never happen again.”
Senior Crown Prosecutor Caroline Deacon, speaking after the sentencing hearing, added: "Neil Trennan is an exceptionally dangerous man with a proven history of violent and predatory sexual offending. Whilst serving two life sentences, he failed to return from day leave from his open prison.
“Armed with a knife, he targeted an innocent young woman in Sheffield and then followed her to into her home with the intention of subjecting her to a violent sexual assault. It is only through the courage and quick thinking of his victim that he did not succeed.
"Working closely with South Yorkshire Police, we built a detailed picture of Trennan’s previous offending in order to secure his guilty pleas. This included successfully submitting evidence to the court of his previous bad character in order to prove his intention to violently assault and then rape the victim when he unlawfully entered her home.
"Trennan is a deeply violent man who derives pleasure from inflicting pain and fear on others. I am pleased today’s sentence reflects the very serious nature of his offending and I hope it provides some reassurance to his victim that he will be held fully accountable for his actions."
Sheffield Crown Court heard how Trennan absconded from North Sea Camp open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire, and spent three days on-the-run, before carrying out the attack in Sheffield on July 10, 2025.
The court heard how the victim knocked the knife out of Trennan’s hand, before locking herself in the bathroom and screaming for help, causing Trennan to flee the scene.
“It is no doubt had C not escaped you would have subjected her to a violent rape,” the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said.
“You targeted her for that purpose once you appreciated she was a young and attractive woman.”
Judge Richardson told Trennan it was likely he would die in prison.
“No woman is safe whilst ever you remain at large,” he said.
“I make it plain that although I am required by law to determine a minimum term you must serve - it is my view that I cannot envisage a situation arising where it is ever safe for you to be released.
“This is one of those fortunately rare cases where it is highly likely you will spend the rest of your life in prison - and you will die in custody.”
He imposed a minimum term of 10 years before Trennan can apply for release, but reiterated that he does not believe it will ever be safe for Trennan to be at large .
“There are now three life sentences in place - I cannot imagine it will ever be safe to release you in these circumstances,” he said before sending Trennan to custody.
Trennan apologised as he was taken away, and after he left the docks C broke into tears.