Rapist jailed for 14 years after detectives crack his phone and find videos of him attacking sedated woman

Published 21 October 2026, 15:30

• Benjamin Warner, 28, filmed himself raping a heavily sedated woman who could not consent in Congleton, Cheshire
• 'I was able to find video recordings of him committing these heinous acts,' the investigating officer said
• Warner refused to hand over his PIN, denied everything, and must now sign the sex offenders register for life

A rapist who filmed himself attacking a heavily sedated woman has been jailed for 14 years after detectives cracked the security on his locked mobile phone and found video recordings of the assaults.

Benjamin Warner, 28, of Heath Street, Chesterton, was found guilty following a four-day trial of four counts of rape, assault by penetration, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and sexual assault.

All of the offences took place in the Congleton area of Cheshire and were carried out against a single woman who had been heavily sedated and was incapable of giving consent.

Warner was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on 20 October to 14 years in prison.

An indefinite restraining order was also imposed on him to protect the victim, and he must remain on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Warner attempted to obstruct the investigation from the outset, declining to provide officers with the access code for his confiscated phone and insisting to them that he had not filmed the attacks.

"After refusing to provide his pin code for his seized mobile phone and also denying to interviewing officers that he had video recorded these offences, our Digital Forensics Unit were able to get into his mobile phone," the investigating officer said.

The breakthrough came when specialist officers bypassed the device's security.

"Once in, I was able to find video recordings of him committing these heinous acts," the officer said.

Even with the footage uncovered, Warner refused to admit any wrongdoing and gave no comment during his police interview, forcing the case to trial.

"Despite the evidence he refused to admit he had committed any crimes and refused to comment during his interview meaning we had to go to trial and the victim had to go through the ordeal of that," the officer said.

Warner's refusal to accept responsibility meant the victim was made to endure court proceedings on top of the attacks themselves.

The jury convicted him on all counts.

"Thankfully the jury agreed with the evidence stacked against him and he is now facing a significant amount of time behind bars," the officer said.

The officer paid tribute to the woman at the centre of the case.

"I'd like to thank the victim for her bravery and hope that this conviction will help in some small way to her recovery from her horrific ordeal," the officer said.