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Liam Stimpson: Man jailed for raping ‘homeless’ woman during birthday party | UK news

One of the detectives investigating the case calls it a “heinous attack” and says the footage is “the most shocking” she has seen in her 21-year career.

From Niamh Lynch, news reporter @niamhielynch


Monday, June 3, 2024, 11:14 p.m., United Kingdom

A man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping a “defenseless, lonely” woman one night downtown while he was celebrating his birthday.

Liam Stimpson, isolated the woman under the pretense of buying her food and attacked her under a remote railway bridge in Cardiff in the early hours of December 27th last year.

The woman was homeless, local media reported.

The attack continued, although she managed to run away, screaming for help.

Detective Inspector Katherine Barry from the South Wales Police said Stimpson was a “sadistic predator” who carried out a “heinous attack.”

Stimpson “inflicted really serious facial injuries, he raped her, he threatened her, he bullied her, he humiliated her,” she said.

“The victim’s condition was such that it was difficult for her to give us a statement at the beginning of the investigation,” she said.

“We relied heavily on the citizens who intervened and who I believe probably saved her life and who were able to provide more information about his movements.”

Stimpson was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday after being found guilty on Thursday of two counts of rape and one count of inducing a person to engage in sexual acts without their consent.

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Detective Inspector Barry said the footage of the attack – captured on a CCTV camera and a mobile phone – was “some of the most harrowing” she had seen in her 21-year police career.

“Stranger attacks like this are extremely unusual in Cardiff, but in Liam Stimpson we were dealing with a dangerous individual,” she said.

“The level of violence he used and the humiliation he inflicted on the victim were horrific. He is an absolute danger to women.”

“We would like to thank the witnesses who responded to the press appeal and those who courageously gave their statements.

“We would also like to express our thanks to the victim support worker who provided invaluable support to the victim and the investigation.”