Trans Pennine Trail rapist facing long jail sentence

A RAWMARSH man faces a long jail term after being convicted of sexually attacking a 50-year-old woman as she walked her dog on the Trans Pennine Trail.

David Thompson (38) was found guilty of attempted rape, sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault during a daytime attack near Elsecar last June.

DNA recovered from the underwear of the woman partially matched that of Thompson, of Ash Grove, who denied the charges.

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The woman told the jury that at one stage she thought she was going to die.

Police welcomed the jury’s verdict after a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

Det Insp Gary Askew said: “Our thoughts are very much with the victim and her family.

“Throughout this ten-month investigation, the victim has conducted herself with remarkable courage, dignity and resilience and this verdict will offer some closure and allow her to move forward with her life.

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“The victim has asked me to thank the investigating police officers, the CPS, the prosecuting barrister and all her friends and family for their dedication and support throughout.”

Sentence has been adjourned to April 21, pending pre-sentence reports, but Judge Roger Keen indicated that Thompson is facing a substantial prison sentence.

A partial male DNA profile was found on the woman’s bra strap and swabs taken from her body.

A forensic expert told the court the chances of the DNA on the bra strap originating from someone other than Thompson was one in 230,000.

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The probability of the DNA found on swabs taken from the victim being from someone other than 38-year-old Thompson was one in 16,000.

The jury also heard that the victim picked the defendant out in an identification procedure.

After the attack, Thompson, who was wearing blue shorts and a white T-shirt, ran off.

The jury was played the 999 call made by the victim in which she could be heard sobbing hysterically: “I’ve been raped.”

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