A man has been jailed for raping a homeless woman in Cardiff city centre.
Liam Stimpson was caught on CCTV and mobile phone footage raping and violenty assaulting the victim in the early hours of Wednesday, December 27 last year. Stimpson, of Llanrumney in Cardiff, had denied four offences including rape and grievous bodily harm. A jury at Cardiff Crown Court found him guilty on Thursday.
He was said to have utterly degraded and humiliated her, and stole "her last ounce of dignity". She suffered considerable injuries to her face, and her right eye was swollen shut.
A hearing was told the defendant had been out drinking vodka and celebrating his 24th birthday before meeting the victim. CCTV footage showed both of them walking to Bakers Row before returning to St Mary's Street and departing from each other. After beating her, he Stimpson then ordered the victim to strip naked and raped her. He continued to assault her even after she ran away while screaming for help.
A cleaner from a bar and a delivery driver were two key witnesses, who intervened and contacted the police. In 30 minutes, Stimpson had been arrested and was remanded into custody.
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Stimpson is seen prowling the streets (South Wales Police)Sentencing, Judge Jeremy Jenkins said: "You recorded this incident for your own sexual gratification, as some kind of trophy to view at your leisure or to show to others. It shows a woman who is naked, battered, bloodied and frightened for her life."
The victim pleaded with Stimpson not to beat her, but he continued the attack by ordering her to perform a sex act, Wales Online reports. He told her he was the "boss" and she would do whatever he told her to do, before raping her. Describing the incident, Judge Jenkins said: "Your behaviour was callous, bordering at times on the sadistic. There was menace to your voice."
After the attack the victim managed to escape but Stimpson caught up with her and tripped her up from behind, causing her to fall heavily to the floor. Whilst she was on the floor and screaming for help, the defendant punched her twice to the face and kicked her to the head.
Stimspon being interviewed (South Wales Police)He ran off as the victim sought refuge from a nearby pub, where a cleaner comforted her and called the police. The victim was taken to hospital where she spent several days being treated for a broken nose, head injuries and wrist injuries.
In a victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor Nicola Powell, the victim said: "I would like to say this has destroyed my life. I cannot sleep at night, I can picture everything and I keep seeing his face. This has changed my whole opinion towards men. I want this male to end up in prison for what he has done to me.
"I worry about him doing this to another female. I am in fear of this male being released from prison and attacking me again, both sexually and physically. It affected me greatly. I am unable to socialise with others at present, I want to be alone to block out what's happened to me."
Detective Inspector Katherine Barry from South Wales Police said: “Stranger attacks such as these are extremely unusual in Cardiff but in Liam Stimpson we had a dangerous individual. The level of violence he used, and degradation of the victim was horrendous. He is an absolute danger to women.
“We would like to thank the witnesses who came forward as a result of the press appeal for information and those who bravely gave evidence. We would also like to pay tribute to the victim’s support officer who has been an invaluable support to the victim and the investigation.”
Stimpson was sentenced to 15 years in prison at Cardiff Crown Court today (Monday, June 3).
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