Court throws out rapist nightclub boss's appeal

A SADISTIC nightclub boss who subjected two terrified women to prolonged and horrific rape ordeals has had an appeal court appeal against his convictions rejected by top judges.

Michael Bierton (41), of Rockingham Road, Rawmarsh, who formerly ran Henry’s bar and the next door Empress Rooms club in Mexborough, terrorised his two victims and subjected them to numerous humiliating sex attacks.

Bierton was convicted by a jury of eight rape charges after a two-week trial and jailed for 18 years at Sheffield Crown Court on May 11, 2005.

He asked Lord Justice Laws, Mr Justice Owen and Mr Justice Haddon-Cave, sitting at London’s Criminal Appeal Court, for permission to appeal against those convictions on the basis of fresh video evidence.

The court heard today that Bierton’s sister, some years after he was jailed, had unearthed the new video footage, which was said to cast doubt on the accounts of the two women’s horrific abuse at her brother’s hands.

However, Lord Justice Laws, refused the bid to admit the new evidence, saying:

“There is no explanation why these videos were not produced at trial, and more importantly they do not refute the Crown’s case.

“I am not persuaded that this evidence renders the convictions arguably unsafe.

“We are quite satisfied that the safety of the convictions cannot be challenged.”