Locations
Cleckheaton, Kirklees, Yorkshire, BD19
Description
A sex offender has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of rape and other sexual offences in Kirklees.
Adam Martin (26) from Cleckheaton was jailed at Leeds Crown Court today (Friday November 1st) for two offences of rape, sexual assault and other offending in what has been described as a sustained and shocking attack on a lone victim.
The 26-year-old pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to the offences which took place in a Cleckheaton cemetery during the early evening of December 7, 2023.
Aside from the two rape offences, he was convicted for attempted rape, three other sexual offences, Section 47 assault, threats to kill and two offences of intentional strangulation.
Martin will have to serve a minimum term of 13 years and nine months as part of his sentence.
The court heard he had spotted and then followed his victim walking home from the bus station.
Martin followed and then dragged the victim into Whitcliffe Cemetery where a serious sexual attack then took place.
The victim returned home after the incident and was able to report what had happened.
Officers arrested Martin within hours of the offence, and later charged him for a first appearance before magistrates on December 11.
The case was investigated by the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET).
DI Jodie Hayes of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, 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 that 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.”
She added: “Reports of sexual offences are treated incredibly seriously by West Yorkshire Police and victims are encouraged to come forward and report incidents.
“West Yorkshire Police are a victim focussed organisation, and the welfare of victims is paramount to us. All reports are fully investigated by experienced detectives who can also signpost victims to services which can provide the help and support they may well need.”