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Group caught rapist after attack Group caught rapist after attack
(about 1 hour later)
A rapist who was caught by a group of people after he attacked a woman on a footpath has been jailed for life.A rapist who was caught by a group of people after he attacked a woman on a footpath has been jailed for life.
Martin Walsh, 19, from Blakes Close in Stanley, County Durham, admitted two rapes and an indecent assault.Martin Walsh, 19, from Blakes Close in Stanley, County Durham, admitted two rapes and an indecent assault.
Durham Crown Court heard he grabbed his 21-year-old victim in July as she walked her dogs on the cycle and walkway at Tanfield, County Durham.Durham Crown Court heard he grabbed his 21-year-old victim in July as she walked her dogs on the cycle and walkway at Tanfield, County Durham.
The judge said he subjected her to a horrifying sexual attack, and praised those who responded to her cries. Jailing Walsh for a minimum of nearly six years, the judge said he subjected her to a horrifying sexual attack.
Judge Tim Hewitt said: "Suffice to say you have ruined her life." The court heard the attack happened just hours after Walsh had been given a Community Order for assaulting his adoptive mother.
The court heard that the attack happened just hours after Walsh had been given a Community Order for assaulting his adoptive mother. I have been a police officer for 19 years and this is the worst case I have had the misfortune to deal with Det Sgt Graeme Devine
'Danger to public'
He was "drunk and angry" when he dragged the young woman into bushes and threatened to kill her before carrying out what was described as a series of sickening attacks.He was "drunk and angry" when he dragged the young woman into bushes and threatened to kill her before carrying out what was described as a series of sickening attacks.
The victim managed to struggle free and two schoolboys heard her screams. Euan Duff, prosecuting, told the court: "The offences represent a particularly brutal and prolonged sexual assault carried out over a period of something like 40 minutes.
They tracked Walsh and alerted nearby allotment holders, who detained him until police arrived and arrested him. "By the end of the attack the victim was convinced in her own mind that the defendant was intending to kill her."
Mr Duff told the court that during the attack Walsh's mobile phone rang and he answered a call from his girlfriend who heard him telling his victim "I'll snap your neck".
She eventually managed to struggle free and fled semi-naked before being helped by two youths who were cycling past.
Johnathan Stoker and Adam Barker, both 16, took a description of Walsh and tracked him down before alerting allotment holders who surrounded him and detained him until police arrived.
Judge Tim Hewitt awarded both boys £200 from public funds and praised their actions in helping the victim.
At an earlier hearing Walsh had admitted two charges of rape, one charge of assault by penetration and one charge of attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle with intent to rape.At an earlier hearing Walsh had admitted two charges of rape, one charge of assault by penetration and one charge of attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle with intent to rape.
Judge Tim Hewitt said he was a danger to the public and must serve a minimum tariff of five years and eight months. 'Extremely dangerous'
Judge Hewitt said of the victim, who is now on medication for depression: "Suffice to say you have ruined her life."
Ros Scott Bell, defending, said Walsh had no recollection of the incident and was thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour.
Judge Hewitt told Walsh: "I regard you as extremely dangerous.
"It's clear you pose a significant risk to the public and in my judgment qualify for a life sentence of imprisonment."
Referring to the minimum tariff before Walsh can be considered for parole, Judge Hewitt said: "It may seem to the public to be a short period but it is the result of statutory guidelines."
After the hearing, Detective Sergeant Graeme Devine, of Durham Police, said: "I have been a police officer for 19 years and this is the worst case I have had the misfortune to deal with."