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Liam Antony Rodgers, 33, of no fixed address, has been sectioned after sexually assaulting a woman and repeatedly stabbing another man in an unprovoked attacked.
Partway through his trial for the sex offences, Rodgers pleaded guilty to sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity.
He also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent following the assault on a man in January 2024, which he carried out whilst on bail for the sexual assaults. He was originally charged with attempted murder, but the prosecution accepted the lesser plea after the defence prepared psychiatric reports on him.
At York Crown Court on Tuesday (3 March), Rodgers was detained under the Mental Health Act in a secure psychiatric unit, subject to special restrictions that allow doctors to set conditions on his behaviour in the community, including compulsory mental health treatment, and to return him to hospital if concerns arise.
He was also given a lifetime restraining order preventing him from contacting the woman, approaching her, or posting about her on social media.
The judge told Rodgers, “You are not likely to be released for many, many years, if ever". Had he not been mentally ill, he would have received a jail sentence of 16 years the judge told the court.
The brave victim of the sexual assaults reported the abuse to North Yorkshire Police in September 2023, prompting an investigation to be launched.
In a personal statement, the woman described how she was still dealing with the lasting and difficult impact of Rodgers’ actions on her life today.
“I feel disillusioned and very untrusting of those around me now, and I don’t think this will ever change or improve from here,” she said, explaining that “I have just had to adapt to being on constant high alert around others.”
She added:
“Even as I am writing this now, it casts my mind right back to those days, and I am in a lot of pain recalling these times.”
The victim of the assault also described how, even two years after the attack, he still feels unable to go out alone at night and continues to suffer from nightmares.
He explained how Rodgers had been waiting for him in the corridor of their accommodation before repeatedly stabbing him to the head.
The incident took place on the afternoon of 29 January 2024, when Rodgers launched a sustained attack, striking the victim multiple times before grabbing him in a tight hold and continuing the assault.
Witnesses later said that the way Rodgers carried out the attack made them genuinely believe he intended to kill.
Detective Constable Karen Everitt of North Yorkshire Police, who led the investigation into the sexual assaults, said:
“The victim of these horrific sexual assaults was targeted by Rodgers who is a highly dangerous and manipulative man.
“Throughout the police investigation, she has shown remarkable strength and resilience. Her determination was driven by a desire to ensure that Rodgers could never treat anyone else in the same way again, and that he would finally be held accountable for his actions.
“This has been an extremely long and difficult journey for her, made even harder by the fact that Rodgers refused to take responsibility until the eve of the trial. As a result, she had to endure the full length of the police and CPS processes. Despite this, she has come through it and is now in a much stronger and happier place in her life.
“I hope she feels proud of herself for her courage in bringing Rodgers to justice and for ensuring that the public is now aware of him and his despicable behaviour. This outcome would not have been possible without the extraordinary strength she has shown throughout.”
Commenting on the assault, Investigator Corrina Graham-Merrett of North Yorkshire Police said:
“Rodgers carried out a sudden and extremely violent attack on the victim, giving him no opportunity to defend himself or escape.
“The determination and courage shown by the victim throughout this investigation has been remarkable, especially given the fear and trauma he endured.
“Witnesses were clear that the nature of Rodgers’ actions made them believe he intended to kill, and today’s sentence reflects the gravity of that behaviour. I hope this outcome brings the victim some sense of justice as he continues to rebuild his life.”