A convicted rapist has caused a young woman to mourn the autonomy she experienced prior to his assault.
Luke Sargent had previously been found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl in Rushall on Christmas Day in 2011. He received a six-year prison sentence accompanied by a three-year extended licence; nevertheless, in the early hours of 8 June, the 31-year-old reoffended.
CCTV footage indicates that he had spent a considerable amount of time trailing groups of women prior to selecting her as a target in Selly Oak. He seized a 20-year-old woman as she was returning home and forcibly pulled her into a residence being renovation. He menaced her with the intent to sever her throat before to committing an act of brutal sexual assault.
Investigating officer DC Andy Carnall said: “It is testament to the young woman that she bravely reported what had happened to her.
“She convinced her attacker she would keep quiet for £20 hoping the note would contain his DNA, and remembered as much detail as she could, enabling her to pick him out on an ID parade.”
Sargent was arrested after being spotted by officers making enquiries with builders at the renovation site. He matched the description the woman had given and was taken into custody. Doorbell footage was also recovered which revealed an audio recording of a man threatening to slit the woman’s throat.
At trial the jury heard a very emotional impact statement. She said: “I’ve since looked back at pictures of my friends and I out having fun the same night before I was attacked, and I just want to scream out to younger me to run, that she’s in danger, to go find safety, as she has no idea what she’s about to endure.
“I was just trying to walk home.”
Sargent, from Cadnam Close in Birmingham, was jailed for 18 years with a minimum term of 12 years before he will be eligible to apply for parole and will remain on licence for life. He will also remain on the sex offender’s register for life.
DC Carnall added: “This is a significant sentence which reflects the danger Sargent poses. I commend the young woman for her tenacity and bravery during the investigation and trial.”
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