A convicted sex offender who raped a woman walking home from a party in Bedford was given a life sentence on Friday, January 26, 2024.
Daniel Williams, 36, cycled up behind the victim in Bromham Road, grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her onto a muddy area.
He said what he was going to do would be quick and told her not to call the police, Luton Crown Court was told.
The victim, who is in her 30s, raised the alarm by knocking on a front door at around 7am on the morning of January 17, 2022.
Williams, from Clark’s Row, Oxford, was caught when a match was found on the DNA database. He was convicted by a jury of rape.
He had been released from prison in 2019 where he had been serving an indeterminate sentence for public protection after being convicted of following a 23-year-old woman to her home and attempting to rape her.
In 2002 he had been sentenced to four years for indecently assaulting and robbing a 64-year-old woman in a shop.
Williams refused to leave the vulnerable prisoners’ wing at Bedford jail and was sentenced in his absence.
Prosecutor Alisdair Smith said: “The evidence supports the suggestion he followed the complainant for some time. “
In a victim personal statement, the woman said the attack left her afraid to go out. She heard voices and felt insecure. She said she had been affected on a daily basis.
Judge Geoffrey Payne described him as a “thoroughly dangerous sexual predator.”
He passed a life sentence with a minimum term of six years before he can be considered for parole.
The judge said: “This was a predatory attack on a lone woman on her way home. He left her lying in the mud. He has a history of attacking complete strangers for his own gratification. He poses a very high level of danger indeed.”
Detective Constable Peta Simpson from Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team, said: “Williams was an opportunist offender who preyed on a lone woman before carrying out this appalling sexual assault.
“Random attacks like these are extremely rare – but we will always relentlessly pursue the vile perpetrators of such abhorrent behaviour.
“The victim in this case has showed true courage to reach out for support from a member of the public and speak to officers, which helped to ensure Williams is facing a significant period behind bars.
“Women deserve to feel safe in public spaces – they should not have to worry and they shouldn’t have to look over their shoulders.
“We remain committed to ensuring predators like Williams are removed from our streets.”
JANUARY 2024 LINKS TO THE PAPERS
BEDS BOROUGH BULLETIN
https://digital.magmgr.com/Preview/Index/2696083#page/1
BEDS COUNTY BULLETIN
https://digital.magmgr.com/Preview/Index/2696119#page/1
KEMPSTON CALLING
https://digital.magmgr.com/Preview/Index/2696127#page/1
SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY NEWS FEED
https://www.bedsbulletin.com/bulletin/sign-up/
FEBRUARY 2024 LINKS TO THE PAPERS
BEDS BOROUGH BULLETIN
https://digital.magmgr.com/Preview/Index/2696089#page/1
BEDS COUNTY BULLETIN
https://digital.magmgr.com/Preview/Index/2696133#page/1>
KEMPSTON CALLING
https://digital.magmgr.com/Preview/Index/2696145#page/1
SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY NEWS FEED
https://www.bedsbulletin.com/bulletin/sign-up/
