[A] “BARBARIC” and “evil” rapist has been jailed for 12 years.
Luke Thompson grabbed his victim by her scarf and pushed her into a Carlisle flat at the start of one violent ordeal lasting several hours, the city’s crown court heard. Once inside he threw away her phone and then “refused to stop” as he pushed her against a wall and then violently raped her. “I tried to stop him,” the woman told police when interviewed. “I tried to push him off.”
In a deeply moving impact statement, she said: “Manipulative, barbaric and evil are three of the words I would use to describe Luke Thompson.” The female added: “He has given me a life sentence because I am never going to forget what he has done.”
Thompson, 24, stared straight ahead in the dock and showed no emotion while her statement was read today (FRI). He had denied two rape charges – one relating to multiple other offences – and a charge of kidnap, but was convicted on all three counts by a jury following a trial.
He was sentenced for that offending, and also punished for a string of child porn crimes. Thompson, of no fixed address, had admitted making indecent photographs of children – including 215 still and moving images classed in category A, the most serious. He also admitted possessing extreme pornographic images, and prohibited pictures of children.
Jailing Thompson, Recorder Mark Ainsworth said of the rapes and kidnap: “The impact that you have had on that young woman will be felt by her for many years to come.”
Thompson must sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, and abide by the strict terms of a sexual harm prevention order.
Detective Constable Selena Cairns, North Cumbria Crime and Safeguarding Team, said: “Luke Thompson is a dangerous sexual offender who subjected his victim to a truly horrific ordeal.
“Thompson has shown no remorse for his brutal attack on the victim. He dragged her by the scarf she was wearing into a flat before raping her.
“I would like to praise the bravery of the victim in this case for supporting our investigation which has led to Thompson’s imprisonment. I hope that today’s sentencing can provide some form of closure to the victim.
“Thompson’s obsession with illegal images is further evidence of the danger he presents and I am pleased that our investigation has resulted in him being removed from society.
“I hope that today’s sentencing can provide further confidence to anyone who is a victim of rape or sexual assault in reporting what has happened to them.”
If you wish to report a crime or speak to an officer about an incident, please contact Cumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
If you have been affected by rape or sexual assault, contact The Bridgeway Sexual Assault Support Service’s 24/7 free helpline on 0808 118 6432.
