Life sentence for man who raped woman in cemetery

A "highly dangerous" sexual offender who raped a woman in a cemetery after following her home has been jailed for life.

Adam Martin tailed the woman as she left Cleckheaton bus station before dragging her into the graveyard to carry out a "sustained and vicious attack", West Yorkshire Police said.

The 26-year-old, of no fixed abode, had earlier pleaded guilty to 10 offences linked to the assault, including two counts of rape, two of intentional strangulation and one of making threats to kill.

At a sentencing hearing at Leeds Crown Court on Friday, Martin was told he must serve a minimum term of 13 years and nine months.

Following the hearing, Det Insp Jodie Hayes said: “Adam Martin committed a shocking attack against a lone victim and we welcome his sentencing at court today.

“He identified and followed his victim before committing a sustained and vicious attack. There is no doubt whatsoever he is a highly dangerous sexual offender who has acted in the most predatory way.

“It is welcome that his guilty plea may have spared the victim the ordeal of a trial but, in truth, the weight of evidence against him was so substantial he had little choice but to enter this plea.”

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