Exclusive:Sheffield university student fought off knife-wielding rapist who absconded from prison
A woman who fought off a rapist while he was on the run after absconding from prison bravely faced up to him again in court today.
Addressing him directly, in powerful scenes, she defiantly told her attacker: “I am so much more than the crime that you tried to commit against me”.
Convicted rapist Neil Trennan appeared at Sheffield Crown Court via videolink earlier today (February 24) to be sentenced for crimes he committed last summer.
The 61-year-old earlier pleaded guilty to breaking into the home of a woman - referred to in court as ‘C’ - in an attempt to sexually assault her.
The offence on July 10, 2025, was committed after Trennan had absconded from North Sea Camp, an open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire.
He was on the run for three days, the court was told, before being caught in York when he was spotted by a member of the public.
Prosecuting barrister Richard Wright KC told the court how during his time on the run, Trennan had followed ‘C’ home in the middle of the afternoon and entered through the door she had left open for her housemate.
“He looked at her and said ‘sorry’,” Mr Wright continued.
“He was not sorry and he was not lost.”
He began to touch the woman and produced a knife from his pocket, the court was told.
However, ‘C’ managed to fight him off, Mr Wright said, locking herself in the bathroom and screaming for help - forcing Trennan to flee.
“You’re a very brave woman, a very brave woman,” The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, said to the woman as she courageously took the stand to read out her statement.
She attended court with a number of friends, who sat in the public gallery to offer support.
“On July 10 last year, you attempted to seriously harm me and unsuccessfully rape me,” she said through tears in court.
“I read this statement today as a survivor of attempted rape.”
Trennan pleaded guilty to a charge of knowingly trespassing on premises with intent to commit a sexual offence, with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) accepting this instead of going to trial over an attempted rape charge.
The woman he assaulted, who was a university student and only 19 at the time, went on to say she struggled with mental health issues as a result of the crime. She has been prescribed antidepressants and is unable leave home without company.
She also listed physical health issues the incident has caused, saying that she has had three months off work, with doctors listing her as ‘unfit for work’.
“I thought it would be so much nicer if he had killed me,” she added
“Today, looking back on that however, I don’t feel that way in the slightest.
“You ruined my life for a period of time but I am so much more than the crime that you tried to commit against me.”
She said that Trennan didn’t care about her, adding: “This was your final attempt at causing harm in society and I hope that stays with you for the rest of your life, which you so ungratefully threw away.”
Gordon Stables, for the Crown Prosecution Service, read out Trennan’s previous convictions, including a number of sexual offences in the 1980s initially.
Then, in 1991, he received a life sentence for rape and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after breaking into the home of a woman in Sheffield.
During that incident on March 8, 1990, he hit the victim in the head with a dumbbell, rendering her unconscious, and proceeded to rape her.
“Whilst raping, he continued to hit her using a set of dumbbells,” Mr Stables said, adding that he hit her around 12 times.
Then, in 2002, he received his second life sentence after fleeing from prison guards while on escorted leave in Norwich city centre, the court was told.
Mr Stables explained how while a prison officer was using a cash machine, Trennan fled and ended up at a local college.
While there, he followed a woman into the bathroom, the court heard, and proceeded to hit her with a brick.
She screamed for help, forcing Trennan to flee, the court was told.
Psychology reports produced in 2015 while Trennan was in prison were read in court, which explained how Trennan had violent fantasies and ‘admitted to enjoying fear he is able to see in his victims’ eyes’, Mr Stables said.
In mitigation, Trennan’s defence barrister Michelle Colborne KC said that Trennan ‘can’t explain’ why he absconded from prison.
She added that during his time in custody he took part in courses to try and understand his actions, which helped him lower the category of prison he was kept in.
“He is deeply sorry for his behaviour,” Ms Colborne concluded.
“He accepts he has let everyone down, particularly this complainant and her psychological health - he is deeply sorry for his actions.”
Judge Richardson, the highest ranking judge in Sheffield, took time to address the complainant and thank her for her bravery.
“You have your life ahead of you,” he said to her.
“What has happened to you in this incident was shocking beyond compare, but - and this is the important point for you - because of your courage and the woman you are, you have gone through this trauma and are going to get on with your life.”
“In this life and my judgement, the character of a person is really important - you have shown character and courage. I want to praise you for so doing”
“Good luck, I wish you all the very best.”
Trennan is set to be sentenced tomorrow (February 25).