Third life sentence for convicted rapist who absconded from prison and attempted to attack Sheffield student
A convicted rapist with a history of committing sexual crimes dating back to the 1980s will spend the rest of his life behind bars, Sheffield’s leading judge said today.
Neil Trennan was brought before Sheffield Crown Court today (February 25) to face justice for breaking into a Sheffield student’s home wielding a knife and attempting to attack her.
Trennan appeared in the docks wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a green jumper.
Last summer, the convicted rapist - who was serving two life sentences at the time - absconded from North Sea Camp open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire.
He spent three days on the run, travelling to Sheffield before finally being caught in York.
During this time, on July 10, 2025, he broke into a Sheffield woman’s home, brandishing a knife and with the intent to sexually assault her, the court has previously been told.
She fought free, knocking the knife on his hand before locking herself in the bathroom and screaming for help, at which point Trennan fled.
Trennan had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, trespass with the intent to commit a sexual offence, possession of a bladed article and remaining unlawfully at large after recall to prison.
The victim, who was referred to in court as C, sat in the public gallery to watch justice be served.
“There is no doubt had C not escaped by managing to knock the knife from your hand, you would unquestionably 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.”
After breaking down the legal arguments of the case, Judge Richardson passed sentence.
“This is an appalling case of history repeating itself - that must never happen again,” he continued
“As I have stated you pose immense and enduring dangers to women of acute violence and associated sexual depravity.
“No woman is safe whilst ever you remain at large.
“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 to consider you being released.
“This is one of those fortunately rare cases where it is highly likely you will spend the rest of your life in prison in circumstances of considerable security and you will die in custody”
Judge Richardson ordered that Trennan serve another life term for his latest spree.
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.
The 61-year-old was previously convicted for raping a woman in Sheffield after knocking her unconscious with a dumbbell in 1990, and hitting a woman with a brick in 2002.
The second incident took place in Norwich, with Trennan on escorted leave in the city centre before fleeing from a prison guard.
He had previous sexual offence convictions dating back to the 1980s.
Judge Richardson said that it is not his place to question why Trennan was put into open prison after his previous convictions, but did say that he would raise the matter with the Lord Chancellor, David Lammy MP.
He added: “I would not be justified in making any criticism of anyone or any public body which made that decision.
“I appreciate such decisions are often very difficult, it is not part of my role to inquire into that decision.
“Some may feel it was the wrong decision and it had appalling consequences.
“It is my view the Lord Chancellor should consider conducting an investigation into why that occurred, but that is ultimately a decision for him”
More to follow.