Courageous rape survivor helps catch attacker after wiping her blood on him
Jack Ian Walker sentenced to 11 years in prison after victim's quick thinking helps identify him
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A brave rape victim fought back against her attacker and wiped her blood on him as he threatened to stab her.
The woman, who is aged 58 but cannot be named for legal reasons, battled against 18-year-old Jack Ian Walker after he attacked her in a park in Workington, Cumbria.
The victim rubbed her blood on Mr Walker’s clothes so he could later be identified as the attacker, Carlisle Crown Court heard.
The defendant was high on a mixture of cocaine, alcohol and valium when he grabbed the woman as she walked her dog through grassland at around 10pm on 15 July, according to the Carlisle News and Star.
He repeatedly punched and threatened to stab her, before forcing her to the ground and raping her. When she tried to escape, Mr Walker taunted her, saying “quiet grandma”.
The victim required hospital treatment for her injuries, with police releasing an image showing a five-inch cut on her face, as well as extreme bruising.
The defendant pleaded guilty to charges of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and grievous bodily harm. He was jailed for 11 years and told he must remain on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
Tim Evans, prosecuting, described how the victim had been walking her dog after watching Masterchef on TV. Mr Walker approached her and said hello before putting on a baseball cap, pulling his hood down over his face and blocking her path.
The victim tried to fight him off, telling him: “Get a grip. I’m old enough to be your grandmother.” But Mr Walker put her in a headlock before punching her several times.
The teenage attacker fled when police officers arrived in response to a call from a passer-by.
The victim later told police: "Every time I look in the mirror I see this scar. I'll see this scar every day of my life and will be reminded of this attack, no matter how hard I try to forget. I feel my happiness has been stolen from me."
Following the conviction, Detective Constable Jim Grattan of West Cumbria Police, said:
“There is no excuse for Walker’s unthinkable actions and I am glad that he is now facing a significant sentence for his crimes."
“His victim was innocently walking her dog when Walker forced himself upon and conducted his brutal attack."
“Rape and sexual offences have a huge impact on a victim and their families and I hope that today’s sentencing offers some sort of closure. She has shown true bravery throughout our investigation.”