Sentencing date set for Carlisle serial rapist Barrie O’Keefe

At the city’s Crown Court, a judge told child sex offender Barrie O’Keefe, 48, that he faces a “significant period” of jail. O’Keefe was convicted last month of raping another young man after plying him with drink and drugs.

O’Keefe denied both the second rape and the sexual assault of a 15-year-old boy.

He committed both crimes 18 years ago, but he had already been convicted in an earlier trial for the rape of another 15-year-old boy.

Both trials heard that O’Keefe, who formerly lived in Denton Holme, Carlisle, carried out the attacks after giving his three victims alcohol and drugs to render them helpless.

Speaking via video link from the prison where O’Keefe is being held, Judge Michael Fanning addressed the defendant and informed him that sentencing would be announced on Wednesday, September 25.

Before the hearing, the probation service prepares a background report.

The danger that O’Keefe poses to the public is taken into account. Judge Fanning told the defendant: “You will appear on September 25th.”

“You must cooperate with the probation officers. There will be immediate remand in custody for a significant period of time.”

On the day of the verdict, the court will also hear statements from the two victims who sparked the recent trial.

At the previous hearing, the judge had described O’Keefe’s crimes off the coast as “heinous crimes.”

Prosecutor Peter Wilson told the jury that the defendant followed a clear modus operandi: he befriended potential victims through a shared interest in fishing, then caught them alone and gave them alcohol and drugs to render them defenseless.

O’Keefe, who had previously walked to the dock on crutches, spoke during the final hearing only to confirm his personal details. He remains in custody.

In a highly unusual case, police went to court earlier this year seeking a restraining order against O’Keefe for sexual abuse. The officer told a district judge he was the prime suspect in a series of alleged rapes.

The judge issued an order prohibiting the defendant, who had last lived in Kilmarnock, Scotland, from having any contact with “single men”.

READ MORE: Former Carlisle man banned from contact with ‘single men’

READ MORE: Carlisle rapist Barrie O’Keefe guilty of second rape and sexual assault