A 37-year-old Crewe man has been jailed for 16 years, after being found guilty of raping and assaulting a woman at a town hotel.

John Dawson, of Ernest Street, appeared at Chester Crown Court on 16 October to be sentenced after being found guilty of two rapes, intentional strangulation and assault, two counts of threatening to send an intimate photo or video, and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour.

The investigation began following an allegation of rape at Travelodge, Beswick Drive.

Further investigation led to officers uncovering Dawson controlling the woman financially by taking money from her account, having access to her social media accounts and messaging apps, and isolating her from friends and family.

John Dawson was found guilty of two rapes, intentional strangulation and assault, two counts of threatening to send an intimate photo or video, and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour (Nub News).

He would also call her derogatory names and had assaulted her. Dawson was charged with the offences, which he denied, but was found guilty following a trial in July 2025.

A second man was found not guilty of rape during the trial.

DC Katherine Isherwood-Smith said: "Dawson's behaviour towards this woman was criminal and abhorrent. Dawson was deemed so dangerous to women that the courts jailed him for a substantial period.

"No one should ever be subjected to such degrading, manipulative and arrogant behaviour, and I hope seeing this man behind bars for a considerable time encourages others to come forward who may be suffering abuse.

"And, I hope it goes as a warning to those who inflict such horrific acts that society does not tolerate violence or abuse against anyone."

READ MORE: Police hunt for Crewe man, 28, after failing to attend court.

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