Locations
Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14
Description
A night-stalker rapist who targeted vulnerable women walking alone has been jailed for life.
Clive Howard, 57, of Stowmarket, Suffolk, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court after admitting seven counts of rape, three of kidnap, and one of attempted rape against six women. Described as a dangerous sexual predator for attacks in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, he must serve at least 10 years and three months before parole eligibility.
Judge Stephen Holt said:
"This was a campaign of sexual offences over many years. Two of the victims describe you spanking them - this is additional humiliation and degradation.
"There was clearly a significant degree of planning and targeting.
"All of the victims' statements show a similar pattern of how terrified they were and the ongoing effect this has had."
Howard sobbed uncontrollably as one victim read a statement describing her struggles with anxiety, self-harm, and an eating disorder since the attack.
Fifteen women contacted police after his first court appearance, fearing they were targeted; Det Sgt Chris Burgess of Norfolk Police confirmed at least one was attacked by Howard.
He said:
"He is a very dangerous man - he was a sexual predator. There is concern that there are further victims."
Howard was caught after raping a woman in her 20s in Norwich's St Helens Wharf car park on 30 May 2014. He offered her a lift but assaulted her instead. CCTV provided a partial Volvo number plate, leading to his arrest.
His DNA matched an unsolved 2013 Cambridgeshire case where a woman fought him off, trapping his DNA under her fingernail from a scratch. This linked him to other similar attacks, Burgess said.
Howard's offences include:
- Six counts of rape against a woman in Ely between November 1986 and March 1993.
- Attempted kidnap of a woman in Glisson Road, Cambridge, at 02:15 BST on 5 May 2013.
- Attempted rape of another woman at Christ's Pieces, Cambridge, at 02:45 BST on 5 May 2013.
- Attempted kidnaps of women in Cavendish Road (02:00 BST) and Clarendon Road (04:40 BST), Cambridge, on 15 February 2014.
- Rape in St Helens Wharf car park, Norwich, on 30 May 2014.
Father-of-six Howard, a mechanic and "loner" whose marriage ended 15 years ago, lived with his parents, used dating sites, and searched for street workers. At arrest, he had an 82-year-old girlfriend.
Mitigating, Jude Durr said Howard was ashamed, felt genuine remorse, and "recognises he should have asked for help a long time ago."