Sunday 20 June 2010

Rape: Park Pouncer In Prison


A violent rapist who pounced on a young female jogger as she ran through a small park – dragging her into bushes after grabbing her from behind – has been locked up.

Richard Shaw, 28, pleaded guilty to raping the twenty-something woman in Victoria Park, Finchley Central, North London on September 16, last year.

He was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection with a minimum three-and-a-half year term at Wood Green Crown Court and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Yolanda Rogers of the Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Unit said: “Assaults of this nature are rare but this was a terrifying experience for the victim who was left traumatised as a result.

“I thank the victim and commend her for her courage in returning to this country to give evidence.

“I hope today's sentence goes some way to helping her overcome this incident but also reassures other victims of sexual assault that if they report the crime it will be investigated thoroughly.”

The victim was in the park at 8 pm when she became aware of a man jogging behind her who pulled her into the bushes and raped her.

During the attack she was also hit in the face.

After the assault she left the park, made her way to her employer’s home and called police.

Shaw was identified through forensic evidence left at the scene and was arrested at an address in North London on October 3.

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