This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities...
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
    • Politics
    • Transport
    • Lifestyle
    • Community
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Education
    • Sport
    • Harrogate
    • Ripon
    • Knaresborough
    • Boroughbridge
    • Pateley Bridge
    • Masham
  • What's On
  • Offers
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts

Interested in advertising with us?

Advertise with us

  • News & Features
  • Your Area
  • What's On
  • Offers
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts
  • Politics
  • Transport
  • Lifestyle
  • Community
  • Business
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Education
  • Sport
Advertise with us
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Latest News

We want to hear from you

Tell us your opinions and views on what we cover

Contact us

Register for our newsletter

Free Newsletter Sign Up

Join now
Connect with us
  • About us
  • Correction and complaints
Download on App StoreDownload on Google Play Store
  • Website Terms & Conditions
  • Subscription Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Statement
  • Comments Participation T&Cs
Trust In Journalism

Copyright © 2020 The Stray Ferret Ltd, All Rights Reserved

Site by Show + Tell

Thank you for your interest in this story

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week

    Already a subscriber? Log in here.

    24

    Aug

    Last Updated: 24/08/2026
    Crime
    Crime

    Harrogate man charged with rape and sexual assault

    by Ellie McKinnell

    | 24 Aug, 2026
    Comment

    0

    img_3220
    Harrogate Magistrates Court.

    Some readers may find details of this article distressing.

    A Harrogate man has been accused of seven sexual offences, including rape, against a woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

    John Backshall, 30, of Butler Road, appeared in Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (August 20) charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of assault by penetration.

    According to court documents, two of the alleged rape offences, two alleged sexual assault offences and an alleged assault by penetration took place between June 18 and June 21, 2022.

    Meanwhile, one count of rape and one count of sexual assault allegedly took place on November 19, 2022.

    Magistrates adjourned the case to York Crown Court, where Mr Backshall will appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing on September 14. 

    StarMan denies sexual assault in KnaresboroughStarHarrogate man drove under influence of three drugs days after being disqualified