Liam Stimpson: Man jailed for raping ‘homeless’ woman while out celebrating birthday
A man has been jailed for 15 years for raping a “vulnerable, lone” woman in a city centre while celebrating his birthday on a night out.
Liam Stimpson, isolated the woman under the guise of buying her food, and attacked her underneath a secluded railway bridge in Cardiff in the early hours of 27 December, last year.
The woman was homeless, local media reported.
The assault continued even as she managed to run away while shouting for help.
Detective Inspector Katherine Barry, from South Wales Police, said Stimpson was a “sadistic predator” who carried out a “heinous attack”.
Stimpson inflicted “really serious facial injuries, he raped her, he threatened her, he bullied her, he humiliated her”, she said.
“The condition of the victim was such that she struggled to give us an account at the beginning of the investigation,” she said.
“We relied really heavily on members of the public who had intervened and who, in my view, probably saved her life, who were able to provide more information about his movement.”
Stimpson was sentenced on Monday at Cardiff Crown Court after he was convicted of two counts of rape and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent on Thursday.
Read more on Sky News:
UK had its warmest May and spring on record
Agadoo singer dies suddenly
Post Office hero ‘asked to open Glastonbury
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Detective Inspector Barry said footage of the attack – on CCTV and filmed on a mobile phone – was “some of the most harrowing” she has witnessed in her 21-year career in policing.
“Stranger attacks such as these are extremely unusual in Cardiff but in Liam Stimpson, we had a dangerous individual,” she said.
“The level of violence he used, and degradation of the victim was horrendous. He is an absolute danger to women.
“We would like to thank the witnesses who came forward as a result of the press appeal for information and those who bravely gave evidence.
“We would also like to pay tribute to the victim’s support officer who has been an invaluable support to the victim and the investigation.”
Crystal Palace are celebrating a historic win in the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory against Manchester City at Wembley.
It’s the south London club’s first major trophy – and third time lucky after losing two previous finals they have played in. The win also means Palace have qualified for next season’s Europa League.
Eberechi Eze put his side 1-0 up with the game’s only goal in the 16th minute.
Man City were given a chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute, but Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson – who had earlier escaped a red card for a handball outside the box – saved Omar Marmoush’s spot kick.
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze scores. Pic: PA
Man City’s Omar Marmoush after his penalty was saved. Pic: PA
It briefly seemed the south London team had gone 2-0 up after a 58th-minute strike from Daniel Munoz but the goal was quickly ruled offside.
They then held onto their 1-0 lead until the final whistle, which came after an agonising 10 minutes of injury time.
Dean Henderson dodged a red card and saved a penalty. Pic: PA
Oliver Glasner’s team were the underdogs despite Manchester City having had a difficult season in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s side also lost to their neighbours and rivals Manchester United in last year’s cup final.
‘It’s all about spirit’
Palace goalscorer Eze said he had “no words” as he celebrated with his team mates.
Eze celebrates after the final whistle. Pic: PA
“I can only thank God,” he told ITV. “This is special, this is what dreams are made of, for this club as well. Who would have thought we could do it?
“We’ve made history today. The tactics were good but it’s all about spirit. That’s energy, that’s everyone fighting together and doing what we had to do today.”
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business3 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway