Man jailed for raping, strangling and imprisoning woman

A man who raped, strangled and imprisoned a woman has been jailed for 12 years.

Lee Jones, 46, of Leeds, admitted raping the victim on two occasions leading to his arrest in February last year.

On the first occasion, he strangled her before motioning to a knife located on the floor and making threats toward her family.

Jones was arrested on 26 February after the victim messaged family members asking for them to call the police for her.

When interviewed in custody he claimed he had consensual sex with the victim and the strangulation marks on her neck were a result of consensual sex.

However, following a police investigation, Jones was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, a number of offences.

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At Chester Crown Court on 1 March, he admitted to two counts of rape and also admitted charges of sexual assault by penetration, false imprisonment involving a bladed article and causing actual bodily harm via strangulation.

On Tuesday, Jones, of Cross Flatts Street, returned to the court and was jailed for 12 years and given an extended six years on licence.

He was also to adhere to a sexual harm prevention Order (SHPO) and sign the sexual offenders’ register for the rest of his life.

Detective Constable Andrew Cole, who led the investigation at Macclesfield CID, said: “Lee Jones subjected his victim to a horrendous level of sexual and physical abuse.

“Thanks to the bravery of the victim in disclosing what Jones had subjected to her to, he has been brought to justice for his heinous actions.

Chief Inspector Matt Lagar, of Macclesfield Local Policing Unit, which covers Knutsford, added: “I hope that this case encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us."

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A report by MPs earlier this month concluded that survivors of rape are "being failed by our criminal justice system".

The Commons Home Affairs Committee warned the “unacceptably low” numbers of suspects being taken to court for rape and sexual offences would continue “without stronger reforms” to the criminal justice system and they “will require significant funding to make an impact”.

Police forces in England and Wales recorded the highest number of rapes and sexual offences in a 12-month period in the year to September.

Meanwhile, the proportion of suspects being taken to court has fallen to a new record low and remains the lowest for rape cases.

In response to the report, a government spokesman said: “While the committee acknowledges the progress we have made, we are clear that much more needs to be done.

“That’s why we’re recruiting more sexual violence advisers, rolling out pre-recorded evidence faster, improving collaboration between the police and Crown Prosecution Service and boosting funding for victim support services to a minimum £440 million over the next three years."